Case Study: JBC

Training Provider Name: JBC Skills Training Ltd 

What were the reasons you started using 1st for Awarding as your AO?

We moved to 1st for Awarding because, unlike other EPAOs, they’re focused on getting the best out of the apprentices. They understand that apprentices aren’t all in the same job or the same working situation, and that applying one rigid, fixed rule isn’t the best way to draw out an apprentice’s skills or let them showcase what they can do. With 1st for Awarding, apprentices get recognition for their skills as they relate to the apprenticeship, rather than being judged against very strict, narrow expectations. That flexibility is really valuable to us. We’ve had apprentices working with medical equipment, apprentices working in schools, and apprentices in pure IT support roles, and 1st for Awarding have been brilliant at accommodating that range while still making sure all the KSBs are properly met.  

Have your expectations been met?

Yes. Our expectations have been met, for the reasons above. We’ve had a wide range of apprentices, and we’ve been able to meet their needs and the needs of their employers whatever their situation. We’ve also found 1st for Awarding are always there to help when we have those more unique cases, whether that’s something unusual going on within a role, an apprentice’s name change, or a job that places a specific demand on how things are done. In every case they’ve been ready to talk through what can and can’t be done, and how to get the best possible outcome for the apprentice. They’re very apprentice-focused. You never feel like you’re being done a favour, but you always feel their priority is that good apprentices get the results they deserve.

Describe your experience working with 1st for Awarding?

Customer service:

The customer service from 1st for Awarding is excellent. They’re always available at the end of an email or phone, technical difficulties are dealt with quickly, and any queries about procedure are answered clearly and helpfully. There’s great flexibility around dates and arranging things too. Beyond the day-to-day service, they also give us genuine advice and guidance on frameworks, apprenticeships and EPA requirements. On several occasions senior members of the 1st for Awarding team have booked meetings with us and been willing to talk things through and explain them, which really helps us. 

Value: 

I’m not involved in the costing side, but within JBC we do feel we get value for money, because of the whole package we get with 1st for Awarding. Ultimately the results are good. 

Resources and support available:

We have access to a whole range of documentation: portfolio guides, EPA guides, overviews and templates. That’s just the paperwork side, and I understand a demo portfolio is on its way, which will be really useful for a lot of people. As for support, it’s always excellent. There’s always someone there whether it’s a small paperwork issue or a query about uploading something, and if they don’t have the answer straight away they look into it and get back to you. 

Timelines: 

We’ve now moved three of our apprenticeships fully over to 1st for Awarding and we’re really pleased with the outcomes. 

Outcomes and Impact

 Achievement rates:

Achievement rates have improved. I don’t have the exact metrics to hand, but they’ve improved partly because we’ve been able to have meetings with people at 1st for Awarding to walk through the EPA process and the apprenticeship, which is really valuable. There’s also a real understanding at 1st for Awarding that the important thing is good apprentices getting good results, rather than results depending on whether they’ve done everything in exactly one prescribed way. Looking back, we had a couple of cases before using 1st for Awarding where I was really disappointed with the mark an apprentice got, and I put that down to overly rigid expectations. With 1st for Awarding there’s a genuine understanding that the KSBs matter within the context the apprentice is working in. 

Do apprentices feel prepared for their assessment?

We do a lot of EPA prep within JBC, and there are support documents from 1st for Awarding that help with that, including the documents we use to help apprentices plan their EPA. The really valuable thing, though, is the regular meetings the 1st for Awarding management offer, coming into a Teams call with the apprentices to talk them through the expectations for the apprenticeship and the EPA. That works well in two ways. First, it reinforces and makes clear the things I’m already stressing to them, such as the more detail in the portfolio the better, so there’s a consistency of message coming from another voice. Second, the apprentices get real reassurance: they hear directly from 1st for Awarding that yes, the EPA can be challenging, but that it’s designed with a positive outcome in mind. It’s not a case of the training provider wanting them to do well while the EPAO tries to catch them out. Hearing that calms them down and lets them focus on their work and meeting the requirements rather than stressing about the process. Those meetings are invaluable. I don’t have a direct quote, but the feedback is all positive and apprentices really value them. 

Are tutors/coaches more confident preparing apprentices for assessment?

Yes. At any time I can contact 1st for Awarding and ask for clarification on expectations. I recently took over delivering DST, having previously done IT Solutions, and both have seen big changes: IT Solutions has changed and there’s a new DST coming. I have the documentation 1st for Awarding provide, but there’s nothing quite like being able to reach out to the EPAO and check that my understanding of what’s required is correct. They’re always there, so I feel well supported and far more able to support my apprentices, because I know exactly where I stand on what’s required. 

Has your admin time reduced?

Yes. I can just fire off an email to the support team asking them to organise a meeting or set up a professional discussion for a particular time, and I know it’ll get done quickly and communicated well, without me having to chase it. The Proficient platform is good too. It’s not always the most intuitive in places, but the parts I need are clear, support is always available, and it’s easy to upload work. Most of my interaction with it is only at sign-up, when uploading work, and at gateway, so it’s fine. 

How has our advice around curriculum planning helped? 

It’s helped a lot. With a modified DST and a new IT Solutions, and a new DST on the way, being able to have a meeting easily with 1st for Awarding means we know exactly what’s required. That lets us plan accurately and flexibly, building a curriculum that meets our apprentices’ needs whatever their role, while knowing where the non-negotiables sit and where we can adapt. The advice we get on how to do that is really valuable. 

How is our support around Apprenticeship Assessment helping you plan?

One of the really great things about 1st for Awarding is that they’re happy to share what they know as things develop, because they want us to do a good job. The new DST is a sizeable change, moving from separate DST and DAT into a single DST, and we’re looking to put our own flavour on top of that. Being able to say to 1st for Awarding “we want to do this, will it work?” and get their honest feedback has been great, whether that’s “yes, that’ll work” or “it’ll work, but you’ll need to do something about this.” That’s really valuable. It means when I’m planning training weeks and the portfolio over the coming weeks, I can have confidence in what I’m working with.  

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