For the professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, the apprentice will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence which has been developed throughout the first 24-months of the apprenticeship (e.g. through the taught element).

The portfolio of evidence is not directly assessed but underpins the professional discussion and therefore is not marked but it is reviewed in preparation for the professional discussion but are not required to provide feedback after this review. The portfolio of evidence must meet the following:

• Apprentices must compile a portfolio of evidence during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship

• It must contain evidence related to the KSBs that will be assessed by the professional discussion

• The portfolio of evidence will typically contain 18 discrete pieces of evidence

• Evidence may be used to demonstrate more than one KSB; a qualitative as opposed to quantitative approach is suggested

• Evidence must be clearly mapped, in an annex, against the KSBs allocated to this assessment method

• Evidence sources may include video/audio extracts (these should be a maximum of 5 minutes in length), written statements, project plans, observation reports, presentations, feedback from managers, supervisors or peers, papers or reports written by the apprentice, performance reviews.

• It should not include reflective accounts or any methods of self-assessment

• The content must be sufficient to evidence the apprentice can apply the knowledge, skills and behaviours required as mapped to assessment method 2 (professional discussion).

• There must be at least one piece of evidence relating to each knowledge, skill and behaviour mapped to assessment method 2.

• The evidence provided must be valid and attributable to the apprentice; the portfolio of evidence must contain a statement from the employer confirming this

• The portfolio of evidence must be submitted to CMI at the gateway.

When submitting evidence it is important to protect any sensitive and confidential material. CMI provides for a grading of confidentiality and asks that no RED rated material is included in the portfolio of evidence. Care should be taken when redacting confidential information not to reduce the utility of the piece of evidence as highly redacted pieces of evidence are unlikely to be useful in demonstrating how a KSB has been met.