Careers and education
Speeding up results
We do get asked from time to time what impacts the length of time it takes to get results updated on ACE 360 or for certificate claims to be made so we wanted to give a couple of tips!
With regards to ACE 360, records can take some time to update once the result is sent out. Don’t forget that the notification of results form is sufficient evidence to close down the ILR of the apprentice with achievements. ACE360 will be updated with the completion status once we have completed the process which requires that we check over the signed result sheet and then claim the completion certificate on the Apprenticeship Assessment Service portal. 2 weeks after the claim has been confirmed the overall completion status will change for you on ACE360.
Could we also ask you to ensure that the Employer Declaration section of the result form is fully completed with the names of both the employer and individual filled in. It may seem a small detail but it covers everyone from an audit perspective and it also means we don’t have to delay the certificate claim process by sending the form back to you.
Using AI resources to complete PIRF documents
Those of you that have been working with us for a while now will have noticed that over the past 18 months or so we have been sending out a number of messages regarding the use of AI resources when it comes to completing documents such as the PIRF. You’ll have also noticed the disclaimer that was added to the front page of the document for the apprentice to confirm they have carried out the work given in the examples. If any of you have joined the support sessions that we run you’ll have also heard us talk about it there. So why do we strongly advise against the use of AI when, in the right context, it can be a very positive resource?
The whole EPA/Apprenticeship Assessment process is designed around examples of work that the apprentice has carried out themselves and therefore needs to be written in the first person so our assessors can clearly see this in the examples given. Let’s hear from one of our assessors who can explain this further.
"When completing any evidence of competence it is important that the assessors can clearly understand that the example/s are specifically of your own work and/or your own personal experiences. In todays world the use of AI and the internet can easily offer examples, but it is also just as easy for assessors to identify and double check whether the examples and wording used have been generated by AI or copied direct from statements found on the internet. Some advantages and disadvantages of using AI are noted below.
Advantages
A useful tool to help you with spelling, grammar, context and comparison related directly to the example of your own work you wanted to use.
If your first language is not English then AI may help with your wider understanding or even offer direct translations to your own first language.
A useful tool to research some typical examples that give you an idea of what an assessor may accept in order to demonstrate the competence required, you may be able to then think of a piece of work that you have completed when you were struggling to think of one.
Similarly to above AI can speed up the generation of ideas from your own examples to satisfy the questions asked.
Disadvantages
- Assessors are trained and experienced to identify when AI or plagiarism is suspected and will report this immediately.
- Direct copying or using material and examples that are not your own work means you are learning nothing.
- You cannot use AI or internet research when in an interview environment, so you may quickly become embarrassed by your lack of knowledge and fail that experience.
- AI searches mountains of data from many global sources, some of which may be false, a bit like fake news on social media.
- If the use of AI is detected, you will probably have to rewrite the submission completely, which means more work.
Please feel free to pass this on to your apprentices so that it’s clear for them and please contact us if you would like any further details.
Meet your new Assessment Co-ordinator
We’re delighted to welcome Claire to the team in her role as Assessment Co-ordinator. Let’s find out more about her!
I recently joined IMechE in March as Assessment Co-ordinator with the Apprenticeship Assessment team and have really enjoyed getting to know everyone both within my team and across the whole of the Institution. I will be assisting with maintaining learner records, issuing certificates, keeping accurate databases, facilitating the EPASC (End Point Assessment Standards Committee) meetings and all things EPA-related!
Prior to starting this role, I worked at the University of Sunderland for two years within two different roles. When I joined the University at the end of 2023, I worked as a Programme Administrator within the Faculty of Health, Science and Wellbeing. My main responsibility was processing all student results, presenting these results at Programme Assessment Boards and ensuring all board decisions were processed in a timely manner so I could award the students and they could graduate.
In early 2025, the University underwent a complete restructure, and a new central team was created: Innovations and Operations. I was moved into this team, where I became Senior Administrator: Lead of Examinations. My role within this team was to coordinate all exams across the main campus, whilst also being present before, during and after every exam to fix any issues that might occur throughout the day. This was a very fast- paced role in which I had to be knowledgeable on all processes and procedures, adaptable yet calm under pressure and also a friendly face for any exams-related queries. These are all skills I hope to bring to my role as Assessment Coordinator at IMechE.
Ongoing reforms to Apprenticeship Assessment
As the ongoing reforms to Apprenticeship Assessment continue to have an impact, please ask the team if you have any questions on any of the details. We’ve been reaching out to a number of you to get your thoughts and feedback and if any of you have any specific points you would like to raise please email chris.atkins@imeche.org
That’s it for this edition – we’ll keep you updated in future editions and if there is anything else we can help with please get in touch epa@imeche.org