As the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation continues, we want to reassure you that People 1st International is committed to supporting our customers and those working in the hospitality, retail, travel and aviation sectors, both in the UK and internationally, during this unprecedented time.

Our teams are well prepared to work remotely to ensure continuity of services and we are taking precautionary measures to make certain we can maintain on-hand support to you throughout this time.

To keep our employees and customers safe, we have encouraged the cancellation of any unnecessary travel for all of our teams to reduce the risk of exposure and will be continually monitoring the government advice and acting accordingly.

We are taking a digital-first approach to our consultancy and support, and where possible, we will continue to work with customers remotely, with the ability to facilitate meetings via a range of video conferencing solutions, that we can also make available to stakeholders.

Finally, we understand the unique needs of our sectors, and we are looking into ways we can ensure our solutions support the wider workforce during this time.

If you have any queries about support, consultancy, training, or any other solutions during the pandemic, please email us at info@people1st.co.uk.

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Covid-19 update for end-point assessment organisations of apprenticeships

Detailed guidance explaining how apprenticeship flexibilities will be retained into 2022 and beyond was published on 25 November 2021.

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute) announced in August that the measures introduced to help support the sector through Covid-19 would run until at least the end of this year.

The decision was subsequently made, following extensive engagement with the sector to listen to everyone’s views on what impact flexibilities have had, to retain seven out of the 10 flexibilities (which apply to all apprenticeships). Read more.

Read our latest guidance for EPAOs – 22 December 2020

Hospitality standards

• Assessment method – Agreed temporary dispensations – Catering & Hospitality

Retail standards

• View a summary of temporary arrangements for end-point assessment
• View the evidence list for observation during the period of temporary arrangements

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For EPAOs and training providers approved to deliver apprenticeship standards and end-point assessments with EQA provided by People 1st International

In response to contact from our apprenticeship stakeholders we can advise that People 1st International in our capacity as the External Quality Assurance (EQA) provider, has been working closely with the Institute for Apprenticeships (IfATE) in their capacity as the sole authority for approval of EPA modifications to provide guidance in the delivery of end-point assessment methods during this unprecedented Covid-19 situation.

This has resulted, where reasonable and feasible that end-point assessment is delivered remotely while still subject to IfATE conditions and guidance. We have been engaging with EPAOs who have proposed modifications (rather than substitutions) to assessment methods and these have been discussed with the IfATE to review.

As the Covid-19 situation develops the IfATE will keep the guidance and approach under review and we will work closely and advise of further developments or changes to the guidance and approach.