Question: Will we be able to be awarded an apprenticeship without the EPA if the pandemic continues long term?

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Guidance Guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers, end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) and external quality assurance providers about changes to apprenticeships due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
section_headers: Apprenticeship assessment frequently asked questions
What will happen if an apprentice’s line manager has been furloughed and their employer is unable to confirm their readiness to take EPA with their training provider and EPAO?
section_content: If the person who would normally sign an apprentice off as ready to take their
EPA has been furloughed, and there is no suitable alternative, we support
providers to make the gateway decision. This temporary arrangement can only be
relied upon where the provider can provide evidence to the EPAO that the
apprentice has met the relevant gateway requirements and is ready to sit their
EPA. Where this is not the case then the EPA should be rescheduled.
Apprentices whose gateway is delayed can have an extension to the assessment
timeframe.
*[EPA]: end-point assessment

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Says that the EPA can be replaced with the provider's decision in some cases, but should be rescheduled if possible.
doesn't state what to do if the pandemic continues long -term, just that it can be rescheduled.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Could be Improved

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Guidance Guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers, end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) and external quality assurance providers about changes to apprenticeships due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
section_headers: Apprenticeship assessment frequently asked questions
If the current situation continues for a long period of time, would you consider awarding the apprenticeship without the EPA?
section_content: We would not consider this to be appropriate at the current time. Our
intention is to safeguard the quality of apprenticeships, and at this time we
believe that the EPA is an important part of that.
EQA providers have agreed flexibilities which apply to over 60 standards from
Actuarial Technician to Senior Equine Groom to Adult Care Worker. These
flexibilities have the potential to allow thousands of apprentices to
undertake EPA, despite the current operating constraints.
[EPA]: end-point assessment
  [EQA]: external quality assurance

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Answers question by saying that the EPA will continue to function during the pandemic.
answers the question on why apprenticeships aren't available without the EPA.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Guidance Guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers, end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) and external quality assurance providers about changes to apprenticeships due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
section_headers: Apprenticeship assessment frequently asked questions
I am on a fixed-term contract which would ordinarily have given enough time to complete the training and the EPA. If the training is delayed, and I have not completed my EPA before I leave employment, can I do the EPA afterwards?
section_content: You must be employed when you are taking your EPA, so where a break in
learning has been necessary, and the planned end-date for your apprenticeship
has had to move back, please speak to your employer and training provider. We
would expect them to work with you to reschedule your training which may also
include reviewing your apprenticeship agreement and commitment statement. We
will keep this under review as the situation evolves.
*[EPA]: end-point assessment

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Appears to say that EPAs need to be rescheduled and can't just be canceled.
explains what steps to take in a break in learning.

Reviewer ratings:
Acceptable
Excellent