Central to everything we do at Energy & Environment Awards is a dedicated team of expert assessors who bring technical knowledge, hands on industry experience and a passion for developing future talent. Their work is essential in maintaining the quality and integrity of our End–Point Assessments (EPA), ensuring apprentices are confident, capable and ready to contribute to the engineering and utilities sectors.
In this interview, we speak with one of our assessors about their journey, motivations and what they value most about the role.
1. Tell us a little about your background; what did you want to grow up to be when you were in school?
I’m Emma, and I’ve been an associate End-Point Assessor with Energy & Environment Awards since April 2025.
My route into engineering began straight after school, when I enrolled in an apprenticeship and continued my studies until I achieved an HND Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering in 2016.
From a young age, I knew I wanted to be an engineer. My grandad was a welder and fabricator, and we spent countless hours together in his garage building and creating all sorts of things. That early exposure to practical work and problem-solving really shaped the career path I wanted to follow.
2. What first made you think about becoming an assessor, and what do you enjoy most about it?
I’ve always had an interest in training and development, particularly in helping young people develop their skills and confidence as they enter the industry. Becoming an assessor felt like a natural step.
The most enjoyable part for me is the variety – meeting people from diverse backgrounds, learning about their journeys, and seeing the wide range of engineering industries they work in. It’s incredibly rewarding to support candidates at such an important stage in their careers.
3. What are the best parts of doing assessment work?
I love meeting candidates and evaluating their knowledge, skills and behaviours. Every individual brings something unique, and no two assessments are ever the same.
The range of environments I visit is also a highlight. I get to spend time in all kinds of plants, such as mills, water treatment sites and manufacturing facilities, across both small and large–scale operations. The diversity keeps the role fresh and engaging every single day.
4. What aspects of the work do you find challenging?
For me, one of the ongoing challenges is planning routes and organising accommodation based on where assessments are taking place. But it’s a challenge I welcome as it gives me flexibility, and I enjoy the independence of managing my own schedule.
5. What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming an assessor?
If you’re looking for a new challenge and want the freedom to organise your own workload, this could be the ideal role. You’ll meet fantastic people, gain exposure to a wide range of engineering disciplines and have opportunities to broaden your own understanding of industry.
It’s a role built on professional trust, independence and the satisfaction of helping shape the next generation of skilled engineers.
6. Is there anything else you would like to say about working as an assessor for Energy & Environment Awards?
Working with Energy & Environment Awards has been an excellent experience. I’ve been welcomed and trained by highly competent colleagues who’ve helped ensure I can deliver End-Point Assessments in full alignment with assessment plan requirements.
This is a brilliant End-Point Assessment Organisation to represent, with numerous opportunities to contribute to internal product development, enabling assessors to help shape how EPAs are delivered in the field. The EPA coordinators and internal quality team offer consistent, supportive guidance, always with a focus on putting apprentices first and ensuring every candidate receives an outstanding assessment experience.
