SFJ Awards win Federation of Awarding Bodies’ End-Point Assessment Organisation of the Year (SME) award

SFJ Awards has been crowned End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPA) of the Year (SME) at the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) Qualification and Assessment Excellence Awards.

Since 2019, SFJ Awards has assessed thousands of apprentices in the emergency and protective services, with the EPAO recently completing its 3,000th Operational Firefighter End-Point Assessment earlier this year.

The not-for-profit organisation scooped the award having been praised highly by an expert panel of judges for their customer-first approach and the support offered to those working in the emergency services by offering a 24/7 assessment service, making the crucial last stage of an apprentice’s journey a positive one.

Reacting to the award win, Director of Partnerships and Innovation at SFJ Awards Kit Salt said:

“We are delighted to receive this prestigious award. Our small but dedicated team work tirelessly to ensure that apprentice firefighters, police community support officers, emergency service contact handlers and more are equipped with the necessary skills and competencies to keep the public safe.

“As an assessment organisation, we have helped launch the careers of thousands of protective service workers. This is something which we are incredibly proud of, and it is great to see our hard work recognised publicly by our peers.”

Rob Nitsch, CEO at the Federation of Awarding Bodies, comments:

“This year we’ve received a record number of entries, but even more encouragingly entries of huge quality. This reflects the incredible talent, commitment, innovation and togetherness that characterises our industry.

“The Awards continue to be a tribute to the remarkable efforts of individuals and teams who are shaping the future of qualifications through high standards, inclusive practice, forward-thinking approaches and adaptability.”

The Federation of Awarding Bodies Qualification and Assessment Excellence Awards took place on 27th November and were independently judged by: Santina Bunting, Assistant Communications Coordinator, Arup, Laura-Jane Rawling, CEO, Youth Employment Service, Emily Rock, CEO, Association of Apprentices, Dr Mick Walker, President, CIEA, Simon Ashworth, Deputy CEO and Director of Policy, AELP, Cath Sezen, Director of Education Policy, AoC, Dr Fiona Aldridge, Chief Executive, Skills Federation, Sorah Gluck, Senior Policy Adviser, Edge Foundation, Patrick Coates, CEO, e-Assessment Association, Anthony Painter, Director of Strategic Engagement, Ufi, VocTech, Paul McKean, Director of Further Education and Skills, Jisc and Sarah Drew, Associate Director, The Chartered Institution for Further Education