---
title: EQA Activities
description: Find out more about Apprenticeship Assessment sampling and EQA activities
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28 October 2026
# EQA Activities
## At VQA, we are committed to making the qualification and certification process as straightforward, efficient, and supportive as possible for our centres. One of the ways we do this is through our daily sampling and claim-on-demand model, which is different from the approach taken by many other awarding organisations.
### **Claiming certificates on-demand**
Unlike traditional models, where centres may need to wait for a scheduled EQA (External Quality Assurance) visit or arrange (and sometimes pay for) a visit before certificates can be issued, VQA allows centres to claim certificates when they are ready. This means there is no need to delay certificate claims while waiting for a future visit.
Once a claim is made, VQA aims to complete the EQA process and reach an outcome within 10 working days or sooner. This helps centres issue certificates promptly, improving both learner experience and centre confidence.
### Understanding centre activities
From the centre’s perspective, the process begins once assessments have been completed on a learner’s work. After the Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) Team has confirmed that assessment decisions are sound, the centre submits grades using the Proficient system.
Once the claim has been submitted, it is automatically transferred to the EQA Team on the next working day. This seamless handover reduces delays and ensures that claims are reviewed promptly.
### **Sampling and evidence requests**
After the claim reaches the EQA Delivery Team, the team will issue a sample request to the centre. This request asks the centre to provide the full evidence requested for the selected learners.
The EQA Delivery Team will then process the evidence, and it will be allocated to an External Quality Assurer to be quality assured. This approach ensures fairness, consistency, and compliance with regulatory expectations, while also maintaining confidence in assessment decisions.
Once the team has confirmed that the requested learner work is available and accessible, an EQA is formally assigned to the activity. At this point, the 10-working-day service level agreement (SLA) begins.
### **The EQA review and reporting process**
The allocated EQA will then carry out a detailed review of the learner evidence, assessment decisions, and practice. Following this review, the EQA will compile a clear and structured report. This report includes key information, such as:
- centre details
- learner details
- EQA details
- feedback on assessor and IQA practice.
The report will also confirm whether the learners sampled have met the required grading provided by the centre. This feedback is designed to be supportive and developmental, helping centres continuously improve practice while also recognising good quality delivery and assessment.
### **Outcomes and certification**
Where a grade is confirmed with no required actions, the EQA will return the completed report to the EQA team. The report is then issued to the centre within the 10-working-day SLA, and the learner certificates are released. This ensures minimal delay for learners who are ready to receive their confirmation.
In situations where the grade is not agreed but actions are identified, what is still required will be clearly recorded within the EQA report, allowing the centre to understand what improvements or follow-up activity is needed. This approach ensures that learners are not disadvantaged while also ensuring that quality standards continue to be met and strengthened.
### **Supporting centres every step of the way**
Overall, the VQA daily sampling and claim-on-demand model is designed to be efficient, transparent, and supportive. It gives centres greater flexibility, faster outcomes, and clear feedback, all while maintaining robust quality assurance and confidence in certification decisions.
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