Academy 4 PM

enquiries@academy4pm.com

+44 (0)1639 630001

9:00-16:30 Mon-Fri

Level 4 Photographer

Home /
Apprenticeships /
End-Point Assessment /
Level 4 Photographer

Level 4 Photographer

The broad purpose of the occupation is to work autonomously and with customers or clients collaborating with other departments as required to produce, manage and deliver photographic assets to meet agreed requirements.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with clients, subjects, retouchers and other stakeholders involved in the production of images. They will set up and operate photographic equipment in a manner to obtain the best image in accordance with the customer/client brief.

They will need to be aware of the activities of their occupation which contribute to their “professional carbon footprint” and steps to reduce this.

This is a junior level role, and the line management and reporting structure of the team will vary according to the size of the employer, this could involve working to a supervisory photographer. Learners must be able to take direction and feedback, to create the photographic images required, according to the brief.

They can work in indoor studios as well as outside locations using digital or film cameras; producing stills or video imagery of a variety of subjects and objects for a wide range of uses. Photographers tend to work in digital formats with DSLR or mirrorless cameras. A very small number of specialist photographers may use analogue equipment with silver-based imaging but this is not mainstream. Photographers offering video imaging services to customers/clients is increasing. Use of associated technology such as drones is also becoming more common.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for, carrying out skilled work in the photographic industry to generate, print or publish a photographic image. Some staff working in specialist areas will be responsible for processing and printing imagery from photographic films using non-digital equipment.

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, the individual may move into further and higher education, or secure employment or self-employment in the respective sector of the photographic industry they have worked in.

The EPA is the culmination of the Apprentice’s training programme and provides them the opportunity to demonstrate the full range of knowledge, skills and behaviours in the published standard. You can find the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education assessment plan here. You can find the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education assessment plan here.

Teaching

Having completed a minimum of 12 months on programme training and completed the required amount of off-the-job hours specified by the apprenticeship funding rules, the apprentice will undertake a Scenario Test with Questioning and a Professional Discussion.

01. Application

Once the Employer has decided to use the Academy4PM for the EPA of their learner, the Employer will be required to complete and submit the Academy4PM EPA Application Form which activates the EPA process and initiates EPA for the Apprentice.
02. Submission

At Gateway, this EPA requires the submission of a portfolio of evidence by the Apprentice in electronic form to the EPAO.
03. Review

The assessor panel, once selected and any identified conflicts of interest have been resolved, will review the submitted documentation in preparation for the Scenario Test with Questioning and Professional Discussion

04. Panel

The assessment will be led by an Academy4PM assessor who will act as independent assessor and may include representatives from the employer or learning provider free of any direct conflict of interest. The assessor panel will contain members who have:
- have recent relevant experience of the occupation or sector to at least occupational level 5 gained in the last 5 years or significant experience of the occupation or sector
- meet the following minimum requirements:
- the independent assessor needs to be a professional photographer currently working in industry.
The Academy4PM will have the final decision on grading.
05. Assessment

The EPA will assess the full range of knowledge, skills and behaviours listed in the published Standard utilising the following:
- Photographic Project and Presentation with questions lasting 1 hour.
- Professional discussion lasting 1 hour.
The above is an opportunity for the apprentice to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and behaviours required in their day-to-day work.

Academy4PM End Point Assessment Process

Final Outcome

Once the lead Assessor has concluded the Apprentices Professional Discussion and Scenario test with Questioning, the Assessor Panel will review and finalise their marks and provide the Academy4PM with an overall grading recommendation. Both assessment methods are weighted equally in their contribution to final EPA grade.

All EPA methods must be passed for the EPA to be passed overall. Apprentices must gain a pass in both methods to gain a pass overall. Apprentices must gain a distinction in both assessment methods to gain a distinction overall.

Re-sits/Re-takes

If the apprentice fails one or more assessment methods they can take a re-sit or a re-take at their employer’s discretion. The apprentice’s employer needs to agree that a re-sit or re-take is appropriate. A re-sit does not need further learning, whereas a re-take does.

The apprentice should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take.

The employer and EPAO agree the timescale for a re-sit or re-take. A re-sit is typically taken within 3 months of the EPA outcome notification. The timescale for a re-take is dependent on how much re-training is required and is typically taken within 4 months of the EPA outcome notification.

If the apprentice fails the project assessment method, they must to amend the project output in line with the independent assessor’s feedback. The apprentice will be given 8 weeks to rework and submit the amended other.

Failed assessment methods must be re-sat or re-taken within a 6-month period from the EPA outcome notification, otherwise the entire EPA will need to be re-sat or re-taken in full.

Re-sits and re-takes are not offered to an apprentice wishing to move from pass to a higher grade.

The apprentice will get a maximum EPA grade of pass for a re-sit or re-take, unless the EPAO determines there are exceptional circumstances.

Would you like to know more?