CHAMBER FEATURE


Apprentice can provide amazing customer service


Leon Horn achieved a “distinction” in all areas of his Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship through Skills Group, while working at Plymouth Community Homes. The End Point Assessment (EPA)


is part of the new Apprenticeship Standard that is being rolled out nationally, replacing Apprenticeship Frameworks. The apprenticeship reforms aim


to provide a more thorough and practical foundation to the profession, with emphasis on equipping learners with the core knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to progress and thrive throughout their career. As part of the Level 2 Customer


Service EPA, Leon had to complete an apprentice showcase, observation and a professional discussion, demonstrating excellent understanding in all three areas to achieve the distinction mark from awarding body Pearsons. For the showcase, Leon had to prepare a summative portfolio highlighting how he had identified and applied


the required core skills in his everyday work. For the observation, Leon was assessed how he interacted with customers and responded to their needs, and in the professional discussion, he underwent a structured conversation with the independent end-point assessor, designed to test his knowledge and understanding of specific areas of the apprenticeship. Leon will now be remaining at Plymouth Community Homes as a permanent member of staff. Ryan Coles,


Contact Centre Experience Manager at Plymouth Community Homes, said: “I have worked with Leon over the past fourteen months, and he is a very knowledgeable and valuable team member. The qualification recognises the skills he has developed throughout his apprenticeship and has also enabled him to be offered a full


‘The EPA is a new


and rigorous assessment process’


time place with us. Leon is a


great example to other learners, highlighting what


can be achieved by completing an


apprenticeship.” Leon Horn said: “I am delighted


by the EPA result and also the offer of a permanent position. I would


like to thank Plymouth Community Homes for this opportunity and Skills Group for its support throughout my apprenticeship.” Sharon Chaffe, Managing


Director at Skills Group, said: “We are very proud of Leon for his hard work. The EPA is a new and rigorous assessment process and therefore the distinction result is a credit to his commitment, as well


First apprentices pass new assessments


Abigail Foster, Olivia Bolt, and Chloe Webber are the first apprentices in the Plymouth area to pass the End Point Assessment for the Hair Professional Standard with examining body, City and Guilds. The learners were the first to go


through the new assessment process as part of the apprenticeship reforms that are being rolled out nationally. All three have completed their apprenticeships through training provider Skills Group while working with top local employers. Abigail achieved her Barbering Standard at Revelations Hair Studio in Ivybridge, Olivia completed her Hairdressing Standard at Rapture Hair and Beauty, Plymouth, and Chloe finished the Hairdressing Standard at Daroma Hair and Beauty in Newton Abbot. The new Standard was designed


by employers for employers and so focus on equipping learners with the essential skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to flourish in the industry. As a result, the new


34 Chamber Profile Summer 2019


Abigail Foster


assessment process is very rigorous. For barbering, Abigail had a maximum of three hours to cut two barbering looks, provide two facial hair cuts and deliver a full shaving service. For the hairdressing, Olivia and Chloe had up to six hours to perform a creative restyle and finish, as well


Olivia Bolt


as create two finished looks incorporating a variety of techniques. City and Guilds has confirmed


that the learners were the first in Plymouth to undergo the new EPA. Kirsty Stacey, Director at Daroma


Hair and Beauty, said: “We are very proud of Chloe, she has so much


Chloe Webber


talent and we are looking forward to working with her going forward.” Donna Ryder, Salon Manager at


Revelations Hair Studio, said: “Abi has shown incredible drive to achieve her goals. I’m really proud of her for achieving her qualification through the new assessment process.”


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