In preparation for the 2025 Christmas holiday period, we would like to clarify our opening times and the effects of holidays on apprentices’ deadlines and submission dates. 1st for EPA will be only be closed on bank holidays, which are: Thursday 25th December 2025 Friday 26th December 2025 Thursday 1st January 2026 This means our office …
Mindful Moves: Elevate your day with simple mindfulness exercises
Embarking on the journey of an apprenticeship is a great way to kickstart your career – but navigating the stressful word of learning and working comes with its fair share of challenges. You are not just employees, but students too, and maintaining your wellbeing is key to your success. Let’s explore some fun and effective …
PODCAST: 1st for EPA On Air Ep9: Assessment Reforms
This video was created under our previous name, 1st for EPA. Episode 9: Assessment Reforms We’re back with more podcasts, starting with a deep dive into assessment reforms. Join Owen and John as they discuss what the changes to assessment mean for apprentices and providers. They explore how providers can keep apprentices at the heart …
Financial wellbeing – building for the future
What is Financial Wellbeing? Good financial wellbeing means being in control of your finances, both now and in the future. It’s about how much your financial situation and money choices provide you with security and freedom of choice. In other words, it’s about knowing that you can pay the bills today, deal with unexpected events, …
Foundation Apprenticeship Assessment Launched
From 1 August 2025, 1st for EPA is approved to deliver assessments for two new Foundation Apprenticeships in the digital sector: Hardware, Network and Infrastructure (FA0004) Software and Data (FA0005) These Level 2 apprenticeships provide an accessible route into the technology workforce and help learners build the knowledge and experience needed to progress to Level …
Provider-Delivered Apprenticeship Assessment: What It Means and How to Prepare
The 2025 Apprenticeship Assessment Principles announced significant changes to end point assessment (EPA). Skills England are currently planning and implementing these changes, with Ofqual expanding its regulatory framework to ensure assessments remain valid and reliable. Key changes include: Published assessment plans will be simplified, containing only high-level information and Assessment Outcomes which apprentices must demonstrate. …
Launch of Machine Learning Apprenticeship to be Industry Game Changer
The world is on the cusp of an AI revolution, and the new Machine Learning Engineer Level 6 apprenticeship is poised to play a key role in shaping the future of the tech industry. This apprenticeship is now available for new starts, and it could be key to putting apprenticeships front and centre stage when …
How do training providers support apprentice wellbeing?
Good mental health and wellbeing is paramount. For training providers, it has enormous benefits in terms of keeping apprentices focused and engaged, and staying on programme to complete their apprenticeship. With every provider developing their own initiatives, there’s limited visibility of what this support looks like across apprenticeships. We asked 46 apprenticeship training providers what …
PODCAST: 1st for EPA On Air Ep7: Meet the Admin & Ops team
This video was created under our previous name, 1st for EPA. The team is back with episode 7 of our podcast. Whether you want to learn about the EPA landscape, see the faces behind the names, or just find out what everyone’s favourite biscuit is, our EPA podcast has you covered. Episode 7: Meet the …
How to spot if your wellbeing is deteriorating during your apprenticeship
With apprenticeships lasting at least a year, and for some standards several years, it’s a significant part of your life. You’ll be balancing learning, work and life during your on-programme stage, and towards the later stages you have the extra responsibility of preparing for your assessment. The pressure to perform well can feel a lot, …
Free mental wellbeing service for apprentices
The Mental Health Support Service (MHSS) is a free, confidential and non-clinical service delivered by Maximus, and funded by the Department for Work and Pensions. The aim of the service is to: 1. Help you become better equipped at managing your mental wellbeing (understand what your triggers are, and what coping strategies you need to …
PODCAST: 1st for EPA On Air Ep5 – Projects in EPA
This video was created under our previous name, 1st for EPA. The team is back with episode 5 of our podcast. Whether you want to learn about the EPA landscape, see the faces behind the names, or just find out what everyone’s favourite biscuit is, our EPA podcast has you covered. Episode 5: Projects in …
