Training your apprentice

During apprenticeship, apprentices will receive two types training.
>Off-the job training is provided by a trainer during your apprentice’s normal work hours. This training will help your apprentice acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours required for occupational competence.

> “On-the job” training will be provided by you, the employer. You will need to supervise your apprentices in order to allow them to do the job you have hired.

Off-the-job Training

Apprentices must dedicate at least 20% of their time to off-the job training.

You can be flexible, and it doesn’t have to be the same day every week.

For example, training could be done:

Online
An apprentice’s work place
You can study at a college or university.
You can also combine both of these options

It is possible to vary the frequency of events, such as:

One day per week
Part of a working week
Blocks of time

To illustrate, apprenticeships may include a block or training to get the apprentice ready to work.

You and your training provider can agree upon a training program that is most suitable for your business.

English and maths

You may need to complete your apprenticeship in maths or English.

This should be done during your normal working hours.

English and maths courses are not considered part of the 20% minimum on-the-job training requirement.

An apprenticeship agreement

Your apprentice must sign an apprenticeship agreement.

This includes details of your agreement to perform for the apprentice.

How long you plan to keep them employed
They will be trained
Conditions of work
Qualifications they are currently working towards

Statement on Apprenticeship Commitment

With your apprentice and training provider, you will also need to sign an apprenticeship agreement statement.

This must include:

Training schedule and content plans
What is expected and what is offered by the employer and the training organisation to the apprentice
How to handle complaints and queries

End-point evaluation

End-point assessments (EPA) are a way to confirm that an apprentice is occupationally competent. It assesses the knowledge and skills that they have acquired throughout their apprenticeship.

Employers within the sector have developed assessments. They are then conducted by independent bodies called end-point assessment organisation (EPAOs).

You should select an EPAO at the beginning your apprenticeship.

An apprentice can only receive their apprenticeship certificate once they have completed all requirements of their EPA. This includes any English or math standards.
Finding an endpoint assessment organization

Use the Register of End-Point Assessment Organisations to locate an appropriate EPAO to complete your apprenticeship.

You will need to agree a price for the assessment with the EPAO. Then, your training provider should contract with them on behalf of you within three month of the apprenticeship beginning.

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?

Each apprenticeship comes with an assessment plan at the end. It outlines how the apprentice should test against specific criteria and use appropriate methods. An example of what your apprentice might need is:

A practical assessment
An interview
A project
Written and/or multiple-choice tests
A presentation

It is worth contacting the EPAO early in the apprenticeship in order to verify the scope of the assessment.

Your apprentice will have plenty time to prepare. This will allow your apprentice to have plenty of time to prepare.
Certification

A certificate will be given to your apprentice after they successfully complete their apprenticeship and pass their EPA.

This certificate will be requested on your behalf by the EPAO.

For some apprenticeships, passing an EPA exam and completing an apprenticeship will result in professional recognition by an authorised organization. This is explained in the information on how to find apprenticeship training.