Firefighter apprenticeships assessment milestone earns SFJ Awards national EPA recognition

Why firefighter apprenticeships are central to SFJ Awards

SFJ Awards has been named End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPA) of the Year (SME) at the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) Qualification and Assessment Excellence Awards for its work assessing apprentices in the emergency and protective services.

The award recognises the organisation’s role in delivering End-Point Assessment (EPA) as the final stage of apprenticeship programmes.

EPA is used to test the knowledge, skills and behaviours apprentices gain during their training before they complete their apprenticeship.

According to SFJ Awards, the recognition relates in particular to its assessment activity across emergency and protective services roles.

Firefighter apprenticeships reach 3,000 EPA assessments

SFJ Awards stated that since 2019 it has assessed thousands of apprentices working in the emergency and protective services.

The organisation recently completed its 3,000th Operational Firefighter EPA earlier this year.

SFJ Awards operates as a not-for-profit organisation delivering nationally recognised awarding and assessment services.

Its work covers apprentices in roles such as apprentice firefighters, police community support officers and emergency service contact handlers.

Judges praise customer-first assessment approach

The Federation of Awarding Bodies reported that an expert panel of judges commended SFJ Awards for its customer-first approach.

The panel highlighted the support provided to those working in the emergency services, including a 24/7 assessment service.

SFJ Awards explained that round-the-clock assessment options aim to make the last stage of an apprentice’s journey a positive experience.

Reacting to the award, Kit Salt, Director of Partnerships and Innovation at SFJ Awards, said: “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award.

“Our small but dedicated team work tirelessly to ensure that apprentice firefighters, police community support officers, emergency service contact handlers and more are equipped with the necessary skills and competencies to keep the public safe.

“As an assessment organisation, we have helped launch the careers of thousands of protective service workers.

“This is something which we are incredibly proud of, and it is great to see our hard work recognised publicly by our peers.”

FAB highlights impact of awarding community

FAB Chief Executive Officer Rob Nitsch commented on the wider outcomes of this year’s awards.

Rob Nitsch, CEO at the Federation of Awarding Bodies, commented: “Huge congratulations to this year’s worthy winners.

“Their achievements exemplify industry-leading excellence.

“It has been inspiring to hear how the qualifications and assessment community continues to drive positive change, and a privilege to come together to celebrate its ongoing impact.”

SFJ Awards stated that it provides nationally recognised awarding and assessment services that enhance the effectiveness of the protective services workforce.

Implications for emergency services apprenticeship leads

The recognition of SFJ Awards as EPA of the Year focuses on End-Point Assessment for apprentices in emergency and protective services roles.

For fire and rescue chiefs and senior officers, the completion of 3,000 Operational Firefighter EPAs indicates that large numbers of firefighters have now been assessed through nationally recognised processes.

Training officers and instructors involved in firefighter apprenticeships can view SFJ Awards’ 24/7 assessment service as an example of flexible scheduling around operational demands.

Emergency and disaster response managers may note that SFJ Awards also assesses roles such as police community support officers and emergency service contact handlers.

Standards and certification bodies can reference this award when considering how EPA organisations support apprentices through the final stage of their programmes.

Facility managers in emergency service control centres may be indirectly affected where apprentices in contact handler roles complete their EPA through SFJ Awards.

Across these groups, the award highlights the role of assessment practice in shaping the skills and behaviours of protective service apprentices.