EPA AE2 - Professional Discussion underpinned by a Portfolio Overview
The video below provides guidance for the apprentice on the second assessment element, which is the Professional Discussion Underpinned by a Portfolio (AE2)
Introduction to the EPA Assessor Training Guides
The Solent DTS EPA Assessor Training Guides provide a complete framework for assessing apprentices undertaking Assessment Element 2 (AE2), the Professional Discussion Underpinned by a Portfolio. The guides are intended to ensure that all assessors understand the purpose of the EPA, the evidence requirements, the assessment process, and the standards expected when determining apprentice competence.
At its core, the training reinforces that the EPA is not an assessment of the written portfolio itself. Instead, it is a professional judgement of whether the apprentice can demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) required by the apprenticeship standard through discussion of real workplace practice, decision-making, and occupational experience. The portfolio acts as a discussion tool that enables assessors to explore evidence, validate competence and confirm authenticity.
What AE2 Assesses
AE2 focuses on the apprentice’s ability to:
- Demonstrate occupational competence through a professional discussion.
- Explain and justify workplace decisions, actions and outcomes.
- Apply knowledge and skills within a real organisational context.
- Reflect on experiences, challenges, lessons learned and future improvements.
- Demonstrate achievement of the KSBs allocated to this assessment method.
- Provide evidence of personal contribution and professional judgement.
- Show how legal, ethical, technical and organisational considerations influenced their work.
The assessor’s role is to review the portfolio, prepare relevant questioning, validate the apprentice’s evidence and determine whether competence has been demonstrated against the required KSBs. Assessment decisions should focus on the apprentice’s individual contribution rather than the activities of a wider team.
Key Components Covered in the Training
1. Assessor Pack
The assessor pack acts as the central reference guide and contains:
- Assessment guidance.
- Assessment criteria.
- KSB mapping information.
- Assessor overview documentation.
- Question bank materials.
- Feedback documentation.
- Grading tools and guidance.
The pack supports consistency, reliability and standardisation across all assessors.
2. AE2 Assessor Overview
The overview explains:
- The purpose of AE2.
- The role of the portfolio within the assessment.
- The four assessment themes used to structure assessment decisions.
- How assessors should conduct the professional discussion.
- Effective questioning techniques.
- Assessment and grading principles.
- Expectations for recording evidence and rationale.
A strong emphasis is placed on professional judgement, evidence validation and assessing what the apprentice can explain, justify and reflect upon during the discussion rather than assessing the quality of the written portfolio.
3. Question Bank
The question bank supports assessors during the Professional Discussion.
Questions are designed to:
- Clarify evidence.
- Confirm authenticity.
- Explore decision-making.
- Assess technical and professional competence.
- Test depth of understanding.
- Explore alternative approaches.
- Validate KSB achievement.
- Encourage reflection and evaluation.
Assessors are encouraged to use questions flexibly and develop additional questions based on the apprentice’s portfolio, workplace responsibilities and occupational experience.
4. Feedback Sheet
The feedback documentation provides a structured method for recording:
- Assessment questions.
- Apprentice responses.
- Evidence reviewed.
- Assessment observations.
- Judgements against criteria.
- Written feedback.
- Final assessment decisions.
The feedback sheet supports transparency, consistency, moderation and auditability throughout