What is an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are a job with training. The apprenticeship standards were designed by employer trailblazer groups and cover the knowledge, skills, and behaviours the trailblazers have deemed necessary for the specific role. We offer a wide choice of apprenticeships that you can choose from, and we will work with you to tailor these to your business.

How Apprenticeships Work

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. Once they have completed their practical training, they will be required to complete an end-point-assessment to achieve their apprenticeship certificate. As the employer you will be responsible for:

Supporting the apprentice by providing tasks/activities as per your job description which generates “naturally occurring evidence”, and meets the apprenticeship programme requirements
Liaise with trainer in providing relevant tasks/activities
Supporting the apprentice to meet the 20% off-the-job requirement
Set the expectations for knowledge, skills and behaviours in line with their business needs, and support the development of new skills in line with the apprenticeship programme

Practical Learning and on-the-job

Learning of a practical nature, on the job at work.

As an employer, you are an expert in your business. Apprentices need coaching, mentoring and support throughout their programme. Many of the skills will be practiced at your business, knowledge tested and behaviours honed.  By providing a work place mentor you can ensure your apprentice is fully supported and that the skills they are learning meet your business needs. Providing new tasks and the opportunity to learn, and shadowing other team members and projects, not only supports their development but also contributes to on and off-the-job training.

Apprentices engaged in the programme will be expected to work a minimum of 30 hours and not more than 40 hours per week under normal circumstances. Certain programmes, however, may need to deviate from the norm. Legally if you are under 18 years old, you cannot work more than 40 hours per week including your ‘off-the-job’ training hours.

Every four weeks your work based trainer will review your apprentice’s progress against the agreed learning plan and commitment statement.

Off-the-Job

Your apprentice has a right to a minimum 20% off-the-job time to support learning and development.

You will have agreed to the off-the-job plan within your Apprenticeship Training Service Agreement and Commitment Statement. Off-the-job is explained during your initial meeting with your Business Development Consultant.

The 20% is based on the number of contracted hours over the period of the apprenticeship, minus up to 28 days leave to support knowledge, skills, and behaviours. The 20% off-the-job can be used for the following areas:

Theory (knowledge) – such as classroom learning, workshops, lectures, role playing, online learning, simulation exercises or relevant employer training, 1-2-1 training and coaching
Practical training (skills and behaviours) apprentices would not usually do during the week – such as shadowing, relevant new skills training, mentoring, coaching, conferences, events, meetings, industry visits or competitions
Learning support and time spent writing assignments and completing projects in line with their apprenticeship

Maths and English (also ICT if required) do not contribute to the 20% off-the-job, time will be required in addition to the 20% to support training and achievement in maths and English.

Who can start an apprenticeship?

Anyone can start an apprenticeship as long as you are 16 and over and not in full time education. You can recruit a new member of staff using our free recruitment and matching service. You can recruit your own member of staff or supporting an existing employee through an apprenticeship.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements are set by employers but must be in line with the apprenticeship standard requirements.

Contact our business development team today to give you further advice and support call us on 0800 012 6656

Employer Rules and Responsibilities

Are you looking to broaden and develop your organisations skills base? If so, apprenticeships are a great place to start. However, to have an apprentice there are some employer rules and responsibilities.

What does an employer need to do?

Our Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a work-based learning course consisting of a series of knowledge, skills and behaviours that provide on and off-the-job training, allowing people to gain a qualification whilst earning a wage.

Search for an apprenticeship today!