Apprenticeship Information

What Is An Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a genuine job with an accompanying skills development programme.

Through an apprenticeship, an apprentice can gain:

  • technical knowledge
  • practical experience
  • wider skills (for immediate job and future career)

 

Genuine Job
By this we mean that:

  • The apprentice must have a contract of employment which is long enough for them to complete the apprenticeship successfully (or they must be employed by an Apprenticeship Training Agency).
  • The cost of the apprentice’s wages must be met by the employer.
  • The apprentice must have a job role within the organisation that provides the opportunity for them to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to achieve their apprenticeship.
  • The apprentice must have appropriate support from within the organisation to carry out their job role.

 

Apprentice Off-The-Job-Training

Off-the-job training is defined as learning which is undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of an apprenticeship.
This can include training that is delivered at the apprentice’s normal place of work but must not be delivered as part of their normal working duties.

The off-the-job training must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship framework or standard and could include the following:-

  • The teaching of theory (e.g. lectures, role playing, simulation exercises, on-line learning, legislative training);
  • Practical training; shadowing; mentoring; industry visits and attendance at conferences.
  • Learning support and time spent writing assignments.

Remember

  • If there is no need for new skills there is no need for an apprenticeship.

 

It does not include:

  • English and maths (up to Level 2)
  • Progress reviews / on-programme assessments
  • Training outside the apprentice’s paid working hours

 

How Should Off-The-Job Training Be Delivered?

  • It is up to the employer and training provider to decide an appropriate delivery model. This may include regular day release, block release and special training days/workshops.
  • A minimum of 6 hours per week for full time workers or at least 20% of the working hours each week for part time staff should be spent on training (Our apprentices will need a minimum of 1 day per week to complete this high level apprenticeship).
  • Off-the-job training cannot be delivered solely by distance learning.

 

Existing Employees

Existing employees may also undertake the apprenticeship scheme as long as they are learning new skills or significantly enhancing existing skills.

For more information please contact the Apprenticeship employer helpline.

Email: nationalhelpdesk@apprenticeships.gov.uk   

Telephone: 0800 0150 600