Testimonials

"1st Awards have provided a professional, efficient and outstanding service to Trafford college. Their customer service is exemplary, providing support and advise when changes take place. They have transformed our experience of Endpoint assessment. Learners feel reassured and supported throughout the process."

Apprenticeship Business Development Manager for Hospitality, Hair and Beauty

"Working with 1st Awards has been like ‘a breath of fresh air’. Their commitment to supporting Travel, Food and Drink has been second to none. They are always at the end of the phone to offer any support required for all levels within our department. 1st Awards have been extremely responsive, gaining approval to assess the end points for the standards we require. They have worked alongside the department to plan how we can meet the needs of our employers with shorter EPA windows and staff CPD to enable us to deliver training to the workforce in short courses. They are extremely learner focused whilst maintaining the quality and robustness of the EPA they ensure learners have every opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and behaviours in the best way possible."

Deputy Head of Travel, Food and Drink (Apprenticeships and Commercial)

“The partnership between us as a training provider and our chosen EPAO’s is of paramount importance to the success of our apprentices. The collaboration we have with 1st Awards allows us all to work to find the best solution for apprentices and employers ensuring everyone gets the best out of the final phase of their apprenticeship programme. Its a pleasure to work with Andrew, Tracey and all at 1st Awards”

Director of Quality and Compliance

I first met the team at 1st Awards when my group of Maritime Caterer Apprentices were progressing on their programme. As the team of apprentices undertaking this standard were the first ever to go through this standard it was important that the EPAO, the training provider and myself as the employer met to discuss plans. I must say, from the start I was impressed with how prepared, professional and by how much research 1st Awards had undertaken. As the only approved EPAO for a new standard they certainly had done their homework. As time went by we held regular meetings and discussed potential barriers and issues that may impact the EPA process however 1st Awards too every single element of this in their stride. Not only overcoming but by going over and above to ensure that the training provider and myself as employer new each and every solution that the team had put in place.

My team undertook their EPA and were certainly put through their paces – lead by a top class professional process that 1st Awards worked extremely hard to put in place. Nothing was too much, and everything was possible. As manager of an apprenticeship development scheme that is simply all I ever want from a key stakeholder.

Learning & Development Advisor | Human Resources