Apprenticeship Standard Common Challenges

August 2025 Edition

To help apprentices achieve better outcomes in their end-point assessments, we've analysed common areas where additional preparation can make the difference between meeting and exceeding assessment criteria.

General Hints and Tips

Page Numbers: Include page numbers in any documentation submitted for the assessment e.g. portfolio or project reports. This makes it easier for both the apprentice and the assessor to find and discuss key elements efficiently.

Presentations: The apprentice shouldn’t simply duplicate the project report in their presentation. It should be used as an opportunity to include other evidence of the criteria or provide further explanations.

Word Count: Check the word count allowances for the version of the apprentice standard you are using. The word count can vary between standards.

Level 3 Digital Support Technician

AM1

Choose the project carefully to ensure it meets all grading criteria. The case study should focus on a substantial problem, must involve the use of data, and require the support of stakeholders across both pathways.

Problem Solving: Some apprentices show a lack of confidence in demonstrating their ability to problem solve.

Digital Architecture: It's common for apprentices to lack depth in their explanation and understanding of data architecture.

Enquiries via Digital Channels: This is often placed in the portfolio instead of the project. Criteria must be covered in the correct assessment method.

AM2

It is important to demonstrate a strong understanding of the digital technologies used within the organisation. Additionally, remember to emphasise the "support" aspect of the Digital Support Technician role, as this is often overlooked.

Authentic Evidence: Sometimes apprentices lack sufficient evidence of completing actions. Screen prints of different stages are preferred (meetings, emails, messages, configuring platforms etc.).

Security Information Principles: Apprentices often show an inadequate application of security information principles to tasks.

Read more about the standard here.

Level 4 Data Analyst

Security Policy: Ensure the company security policy allows more than one window to be shared during the assessment. Some apprentices cannot share their full desktop due to this restriction.

Data Sets: In AM1,  "Acts independently to establish logical and analytical solutions such as exploring new data sets or resolving issues within the data" (B4) - It would be beneficial to see more examples of the exploration of new data sets.  

Read more about the standard here.

Level 7 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Specialist

Ethics: An understanding of the ethics behind this rapidly growing domain is often lacking in assessments and technical tests. The discussions around ethics, as well as legal and regulatory considerations, often resemble responses expected at Level 4 in Data Analysis.

Legal and Regulatory: The distinction criterion in AM3 is commonly missed: "Assesses the business impact of adhering to relevant ethical, legal, professional and regulatory requirements." Apprentices frequently address the accompanying pass criterion: "Describes the relevant ethical, legal, professional and regulatory constraints in the context of an AI solution and outlines how ethical issues impact the wider social context of AI, data science and related technologies in depth," but they often fail to consider and address the distinction element of this criterion.

Screen Prints for Code: In AM1, apprentices often lack screen prints within their evidence of code used. These code snippets are useful for apprentices to demonstrate technical skills.

Data Collection vs Data Analysis: Some apprentices cannot fully explain the difference between uncertainty in data collection and analysis (distinction criteria).

Read more about the standard here.

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