Your apprentice will be exposed to two types of training during their apprenticeship.
Training is provided by a provider outside of your apprentice’s regular working hours. This training will give your apprentice the skills, knowledge, and behaviors required to achieve occupational competence.
You, the employer, will provide “on-the-job” training. Your apprentice will need supervision and training to perform the job for which they have been hired.
Training off-the-job
Apprentices should spend at least 20% of their work hours on-the-job training.
Flexible work can mean that you are not required to be at work every day.
Training could be one example.
Online
The apprentice’s workplace
In a college, university, or with a training provider
You could also choose to combine these options.
For example, the frequency could vary by:
One day per week
Part of a work day
Blocks of time
Some apprenticeships include a block training that prepares the apprentice for work.
With your training provider, you can agree on a training schedule that suits your business’ needs.
English and maths
As part of their apprenticeship, your apprentice might also have to learn English and maths.
Your apprentice must be allowed to study during their regular working hours.
The 20 percent minimum requirement for off-the-job training does not include maths and English.
An apprenticeship gov agreement
With your apprentice, you must sign an apprenticeship contract.
This document outlines what you will do for the apprentice.
How long they’ll be with you
They’ll get training
Conditions for working
They are working towards qualifications
Statement of commitment to apprenticeship
Together with your apprentice, you must sign an apprenticeship commitment form.
It must contain:
Training content and training schedule
What is expected of the employer, the training organization and the apprentice?
How to solve queries and complaints
End-point Assessment
End-point assessment (EPA), which is a review of the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that your apprentice has acquired during an apprenticeship, confirms their occupational competence.
Employers in the sector design assessments and they are carried out by independent organizations known as end-point evaluation organisations (EPAOs).
At the start of your apprenticeship, you must choose an EPAO.
Only after the apprentice has passed all elements of their EPA, including maths and English, will they be able to receive their apprenticeship certificate.
Locating an organization that does end-point assessments
Register of end-point assessment organizations allows you to find the right EPAO for your apprenticeship.
The assessment price should be agreed with the EPAO. Your training provider must then contract with them within three months.
According to Apprenticeships.gov.uk, the cost of end-point assessment should not usually exceed 20 per cent of the funding band maximum for the apprenticeship.
What is assessment?
Every apprenticeship comes with an end-point assessment plan that outlines how the apprentice should be evaluated against relevant criteria using appropriate methods. Your apprentice might need to complete:
Practical assessment
Interview
A project
Written and/or multiple-choice tests
A presentation
It’s worth contacting your EPAO as early as possible in the apprenticeship to get a copy of the assessment.
Your apprentice will have plenty of time to prepare. They may also need to collect evidence to prove that they have been working towards the core skills, knowledge, and behaviors required.
Certificate
Your apprentice will be awarded a certificate after they have completed their apprenticeship successfully and passed their EPA.
This certificate will be requested by the EPAO on your behalf.
Some apprenticeships will lead to professional recognition through the completion of the apprenticeship and passing the EPA. These details are provided in the Find Apprenticeship Training apprenticeship Details.
