Assessment supports learning

Apprenticeship training entails assessing the learning of the entrepreneur, and this is done regularly during the studies. The learning of the entrepreneur is assessed by both his/her mentor and a trainer from the college.

As a mentor, the assessment you do is known by the rather long term ‘assessment of on-the-job training’, as distinct from the assessment of information-centred training. By means of both these assessments, we want to guide studies and support them. At the same time, we are developing the student’s ability to assess him/herself for his/her own business and skills. By means of the assessment made by the mentor, the progress of the studies of the student is monitored by the apprenticeship office. The assessments arrive at the office through an electronic online service.

The assessment of on-the-job training is your task as a mentor. It is your responsibility to assess the entrepreneur’s learning and to reflect it in the objectives set for the training. You will also assess how the learning is progressing. You compare this to personal and qualification-related targets set at the beginning of studies and the mentoring relationship.

Self-assessment is also a key element of the learning process. Therefore, together with the student you should regularly revisit set targets and requirements for professional skill related to the qualification in question.  You can also assess these targets together and redirect them during studies.

Good assessment

• motivates, encourages and inspires people to learn or do something new
• is constructive, two-way interaction
• is directed at activities, not persons
• is fair, honest and confidential
• highlights positive things
• leads to practical development steps that can be monitored.

Assessment is based on the assessment discussions between you and your student entrepreneur. Assess his/her skills in relation to one part of the qualification at a time.

It is more important for the entrepreneur to get verbal assessment than numerical. Verbal feedback gives more precise information about learning, the level of skills at that time and needs for improvement.

All assessment should be made in relation to set targets, so each student is assessed from his/her own starting points.

A trainer from the college also gives feedback and assesses the tasks given in information-centred training.

Examinations have their own assessment, in which mentors do not usually participate and other assessors are specially appointed.

How assessment is done

By means of the assessment, the progress of the studies of the student is monitored by the apprenticeship centre. Assessment is usually done in the electronic Sopimus Pro online service. As a mentor, you will get codes for Sopimus Pro assessment. You will also get more precise assessment instructions either when an apprenticeship agreement is concluded or by post.

When assessment becomes due, the apprenticeship centre will ask you to do it. Usually you will get an e-mail reminder when the time approaches.

Interim assessment is done based on the practices of your local apprenticeship centre 1-3 times a year. Once studies have ended, you will make a final assessment.

Assessors should already take into account guidance meetings when agreeing timetables, and these can be marked in the mentoring calendar, for example.

Assessment is done for each part of the qualification at a time on an assessment scale of 1-3. If you make an assessment on a paper form, return it by post to the apprenticeship office.

Interim assessments

As a mentor, you will assess the development of your entrepreneur’s learning. The grades you give in the interim assessment indicate how the student’s expertise has developed during each assessment period. With these, you can direct the themes of guidance meetings with the next assessment period in mind.

The college will assess tasks related to information-centred learning, and the timetables for these do not affect the assessments that you submit.

If the study period has just begun, and it is not yet sensible to make an assessment, you can enter a verbal explanation of this without giving a numerical assessment.

Final assessment

The apprenticeship office will ask you to make a final assessment one month before the end of the apprenticeship. In the final assessment, you evaluate the skills of the entrepreneur at the time of completing his/her studies. The final assessment grades are shown on the student’s certificate.