The Institute of Cast Metals Engineers (ICME) has been successful in achieving registration as an end point assessment organisation (EPAO) for apprenticeships.
This is vital for the industry’s apprentices as it means that any foundry, casting and patternmaking apprentices on the programme can be formally assessed as they reach the end of their apprenticeships. It is a requirement for every apprentice standard to have an end point assessment organisation in place, and one that is independent of the training provider, and ICME is now the only EPA provider for foundry and casting specific apprenticeships. Over the summer, Amy Worrallo joined the ICME team as EPA quality manager to lead the EPA process, and whilst there is still more work to be done to be ready, achieving this registration is a vital first step.
In welcoming the positive notification of the registration from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Amy Worrallo said: “There is a fantastic opportunity for ICME to be able to deliver a high quality assessment service to the industry. The Institute is uniquely placed to draw upon the wealth of knowledge and experience from within its membership, as well as its networks in the wider industry. We anticipate that the first apprentices will be ready for assessment early in 2021 and we look forward to playing our part in enabling the next generation of cast metals industry engineers and technicians to flourish.”
Stephen Hill FICME, ICME national president said: “This news is very positive for both ICME and the future of the UK foundry industry and will allow the staff of the Institute to strive to become the established lead EPAO for apprenticeships in the foundry sector. We certainly know that there is both a demand and a need from industry to ensure the future talent pipeline, so this achievement, coming on the heels of the opening of the new National Foundry Training Centre, is certainly very welcome.” www.icme.org.uk