L7 - Senior Professional Economist

2.1. Detailed requirements

The professional discussion is a structured discussion between the apprentice and an independent assessor (with support from a technical expert), covering the relevant KSBs. The technical expert may ask questions of the apprentice in order to authenticate the apprentices evidence, experience and competence.

The professional discussion must not take place earlier than 4 weeks after the portfolio is submitted to ensure that it is fully considered and forms the basis for a well-informed discussion. The portfolio will assist you with creating appropriate questions. In doing so you will be guided by example questions, developed by Queen Mary.

• The independent assessor will ask the apprentice a minimum of five open and holistic questions relevant to the portfolio.
• The independent assessor and technical expert may ask any number of follow up questions within the time permitted for the professional discussion to delve deeper into the apprentice’s answers if this is necessary.
• Independent assessors must ensure that apprentices have a different set of questions in the case of re-sits/re-takes.

Questions and responses must be recorded by the independent assessor. 

The apprentice may refer to their portfolio during the professional discussion should they wish to. The portfolio supports the professional discussion but will not be assessed or graded during the end-point assessment. 

The professional discussion should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence. The professional discussion can take place in any of the following:

• a suitable venue selected by the Queen Mary (e.g. an on campus room or on a university-supported video-conferencing tool)
• the employer’s premises