Quality Assurance Activities
Quality assurance is essential to ensuring every apprentice receives a fair, consistent, and robust assessment outcome. Under TQUK's assessment models, the quality assurance process differs depending on who has delivered the assessment component, but the overall aim remains the same—to ensure every assessment decision is valid, reliable, and meets the requirements of the apprenticeship standard.
Internal Quality Assurance
Where TQUK delivers and assesses a component, the assessment decision is subject to Internal Quality Assurance (IQA). Our experienced Quality Assurance Team review a sample of assessment decisions in line with TQUK's quality assurance strategy, ensuring assessment decisions are consistent, accurate and compliant before grades are confirmed.
This process provides assurance that apprentices have been assessed fairly and that grading decisions are applied consistently across all apprenticeship standards.
External Quality Assurance
Where a training provider assesses a component as part of the TQUK Together delivery model, the provider will first complete their own internal quality assurance processes before submitting assessment decisions and supporting evidence to TQUK.
TQUK then undertakes External Quality Assurance (EQA) by sampling centre-assessed components. This independent review provides assurance that assessment decisions are valid, consistent and aligned with the assessment plan and grading requirements.
EQA activity may include reviewing assessment decisions, grading rationale, and supporting evidence before grades are confirmed. The first 10 samples from a centre will be sampled. Once 10 green samples are achieved by a centre, direct claims status (DCS) will be awarded. Where needed, through the identification of actions from samples, centres will be supported to make improvements through further sampling.
Quality assurance of assessment outcomes confirming final grades
Once all the assessment decisions have been subject to the required quality assurance processes, whether through TQUK's internal quality assurance or external quality assurance, the centre will complete the Gateway to Completion checklist. Following this, the final grade will be issued, and the certificate claims process begins.
Gateway to Completion declaration
Following confirmation of the quality assurance checks, the training provider must complete the Gateway to Completion checklist within Proficient.
This final declaration confirms that:
- all assessment components have been successfully completed
- all grades have been quality assured and confirmed
- the apprentice has met the requirements to complete their apprenticeship
- the apprenticeship outcome can proceed to certification.
Completion of the checklist is the final action required from the training provider before certification can begin.
Claiming the apprenticeship certificate
Once the Gateway to Completion Checklist has been submitted in Proficient, TQUK will submit the apprenticeship completion to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to claim the apprentice's apprenticeship certificate.
The certificate will then be issued through the national apprenticeship certification process, marking the successful completion of the apprentice's journey.
By combining robust Internal Quality Assurance, independent External Quality Assurance, and a clear certification process, TQUK ensures every apprentice's achievement is validated with confidence while maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance.