The Employer Reference

What is it?

As described in the City and Guilds end-point assessment pack “The employer will provide a reference setting out their views of the quality of the apprentice’s work”. It is a key document for the apprentice’s end-point assessment and therefore should be completed to reflect all of the skills the apprentice has displayed.

What will it contain?

As the employer you will have been monitoring the progress that the apprentice has made in their role throughout the course of their apprenticeship.  The employer reference will simply be setting out your views of the quality of the apprentice’s work. You must not grade or provide a rating, rather you should focus on the skills, behaviours and knowledge the apprentice has gained and has displayed.

Why is it important

Although the employer reference is a mandatory requirement for the end-point assessment it’s also an opportunity for the learner and manager to sit down together and acknowledge both accomplishments and areas for improvement.

Getting it right

The employer reference should contain real examples of when an apprentice has covered a certain aspect of the standards. A few examples are outline below.

  • Communication

o   Bad reference – “Bob has shown good communication skills throughout the course of his apprenticeship”

 

o   Good reference – “Bob has displayed excellent communication skills through the duration of his apprenticeship with both staff members and customers. This was especially evident when dealing with an unsatisfied customer – Bob remained calm and managed to diffuse the situation. He has also displayed great communication within team meetings – both presenting his own ideas and listening to the ideas of others”

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