Apprenticeship Assessments
OCN London is approved to deliver apprenticeship assessments for a variety of standards. This exciting expansion allows us to work even more closely with training providers, employers, and apprentices, delivering high-quality, impartial assessments that help apprentices achieve their career goals.
What are Apprenticeship Assessments?
The apprenticeship assessment is the final and most crucial step, where apprentices have the chance to shine! It’s their moment to demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and behaviours they’ve honed through training. With OCN London’s assessment services, each apprentice receives a fair, supportive, and thorough assessment that verifies their readiness for their profession, setting them up for success.
Why Choose OCN London for Apprenticeship Assessments?
With decades of expertise in qualifications and assessments, OCN London brings a trusted, personalised approach to all grading. We’re dedicated to quality and integrity, ensuring that each assessment is consistent, transparent, and reflects the highest standards in the industry.
Standards We’re Approved to Assess
We’re proud to offer Apprenticeship Assessments for the following Level 3 apprenticeship standards:
- Costume Technician – Stage and Screen (ST0783)
- Hair, Wigs, Make-Up and Prosthetics Technician (ST0918)
- Content Creator (ST0105)
- Props Technician (ST0174)
- Creative Industries Production Technician (ST1297)
- Scenic Artist (ST0916)
- Scenic Construction Technician (ST0917)
- Scenic Automation Technician (ST0915)
Foundation Apprenticeships
Foundation Apprenticeships are a new type of Level 2 apprenticeship introduced by the government in August 2025. Designed for young people aged 16 to 21, they provide a structured, employment-based entry point into a sector, combining technical knowledge and skills with workplace experience. They are not intended to replace existing apprenticeship standards but to create a supported pathway for those who would benefit from broader exposure to an occupation before committing to a full apprenticeship programme.
Foundation Apprenticeships are part of the government’s wider industrial strategy and reflect a recognition that not all young people leaving education are ready to move directly into a full apprenticeship. By offering paid employment alongside structured off-the-job learning, Foundation Apprenticeships give young people the time and experience to develop confidence and make informed decisions about their next career steps.
Who Are Foundation Apprenticeships For?
Foundation Apprenticeships are open to:
- Young people aged 16 to 21 (or 15-year-olds whose 16th birthday falls between the last Friday in June and 31 August of the start year)
- Individuals aged 22 to 24 who are care leavers, have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), or are a prisoner or recent prison leaver
All Foundation Apprentices must be in paid employment, either directly with an employer or through a registered Flexi-Job Apprenticeship Agency. The minimum programme duration is eight months.
Programme Structure and Assessment
Foundation Apprenticeships combine on-the-job learning with a minimum of off-the-job training hours, providing apprentices with both practical experience and the broader employability skills and behaviours needed for the workplace. The curriculum is designed around the relevant occupational standard, with coverage across all mapped occupations to ensure a genuinely broad experience.
Assessment is designed to be proportionate and purposeful, supporting swift progression to the apprentice’s next destination. It may take place throughout the programme or during a dedicated assessment period at the end, and typically includes observation of practice and review of evidence. Assessment is conducted by an approved assessment organisation.
For apprentices aged 16 to 18, studying towards English and maths qualifications is a mandatory requirement (55 guided learning hours per qualification), although completion of the final assessments is not required before the end of the Foundation Apprenticeship. For those aged 19 and over, English and maths remain optional.
Available Standards and Funding
The first seven Foundation Apprenticeship standards became available from 1 August 2025, spanning four priority sectors. The following funding bands apply:
Employer incentives are also available. Employers taking on a Foundation Apprentice aged 16 to 18 can receive an additional £1,000 incentive payment (paid in two instalments). A further recruit-and-retain incentive of up to £2,000 per apprentice is available to all eligible employers, with part of this payment linked to the apprentice progressing onto a further apprenticeship programme within six months of completion. Care leavers undertaking a Foundation Apprenticeship are also eligible for a £3,000 bursary, paid in instalments throughout the programme.
Progression Routes
Completion of a Foundation Apprenticeship is intended to lead to meaningful next steps, with the programme explicitly designed to inform and support the apprentice’s decision-making about their career. Typical progression routes include:
- A Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship in a related occupation
- Direct employment within the sector
- Further study, such as a T Level or other vocational qualification
Progression routes vary by sector. For example, learners completing the Engineering and Manufacturing Foundation Apprenticeship may progress to a Level 3 engineering apprenticeship or a Higher National Certificate (HNC), while those completing the Health and Social Care standard may progress to the Adult Care Worker or Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship standards.
Delivery eligibility: Foundation Apprenticeships can only be delivered by providers listed on the Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). If you are an existing APAR-registered provider and wish to discuss delivery of Foundation Apprenticeships, or if you would like to understand how OCN London’s assessment services align with this programme, please contact us at enquiries@ocnlondon.org.uk.
Our Approach
- Quality and Compliance: As an Ofqual-regulated body, we adhere to the highest standards, delivering reliable and fair assessments for apprentices and employers.
- Industry Expertise: Our assessors are professionals with up-to-date industry knowledge, ensuring apprentices are evaluated by experts who truly understand their field.
- Supportive Partnership: We believe in collaboration and work closely with training providers and employers to create a smooth and supportive assessing experience, focused on empowering each apprentice to succeed.
Get in Touch with OCN London
Are you a training provider or employer looking for a dependable partner in appenticeship assessments? OCN London is ready to help. Contact us (at enquiries@ocnlondon.org.uk) to discuss how we can support you and your apprentices on the path to quality-assured assessment success. Together, let’s help apprentices build the confidence, skills, and career opportunities they deserve!
