Training Requirements For Apprentices

Your apprentice will get two types of training while they are in apprenticeship.
>Off-the-job training is offered by a training provider during the apprentice’s work hours. This training will equip your apprentice with the knowledge, skills, and behavior that are required for occupational competence.

You as the employer will deliver “on-the job” training. To help your apprentice do the job, you will need to provide supervision and training.

Off-the job training

Apprentices are required to spend at most 20% of their working hours in off-the job training.

You can be flexible with it and it doesn’t necessarily have to be one day off from your workplace every week.

Training, for example, could be held:

Online
Where the apprentice works
A college or university, or with an instructor
It could be one of these or a combination.

You can change the frequency, for example:

One day a Week
Part of a day at work
Blocks of Time

A block of training is required to prepare an apprentice for employment.

Your training provider can help you agree on a schedule that best suits your business.

English and maths

An apprentice might need to take English and maths classes as part of his apprenticeship.

Allow your apprentice to study during normal work hours.

English and maths are not included in the minimum 20 percent off-the job training requirement.

An apprenticeship agreement

An apprenticeship agreement must be signed by you and your apprentice.

This document contains details about what you have agreed to do as an apprentice.

How long they will be employed
Training they will receive
Working conditions
Qualifications they are working towards

Statement on apprenticeship commitment

A signed apprenticeship commitment statement must be signed by you and your apprentice.

This should include:

Schedule and planned content for training
What is expected from the employer, the apprenticeship and the training organization?
How to resolve complaints or queries

End-point assessment

End-point Assessment (EPA) is a test that assesses the knowledge, skills, behaviours and abilities that an apprentice has acquired over the course of an apprenticeship. This confirms that they have occupational competence.

Employers in the industry have designed assessments. These assessments are performed by independent organisations known as endpoint assessment organizations (EPAOs).

You should choose an EPAO as soon after you start your apprenticeship.

After passing all of the elements of their EPA and meeting any maths standards, the apprentice will be issued a certificate.
Find an organisation that can do end-point assessments

The register of endpoint assessment organisations allows you to search for the best EPAOs for your apprenticeship.

You must agree a price with EPAO for the assessment, and then your training provider must sign a contract with them for you within three months of your apprenticeship starting.

According to the Apprenticeships government website the cost of end-point assessment should not usually exceed 20 per cent of the funding band maximum for the apprenticeship.
What does assessment entail?

Each apprenticeship has an end-point evaluation plan. This describes how the apprentice should have been tested using the appropriate methods and criteria. You might have to ask your apprentice:

Practical Assessment
An interview
A project
Written and/or multiple-choice tests
A presentation

It is worth contacting your EPAO at an early stage of the apprenticeship to confirm the details of the assessment.

This will allow your apprentice to have ample time to prepare. You might ask them to provide evidence that shows how they have worked towards the core knowledge, skills, and behavior requirements.
Certification

After your apprentice completes their apprenticeship successfully, and passes their EPA they will receive a certificate.

The EPAO will request the certificate on your behalf.

Passing the EPA and completing an apprenticeship can lead to professional recognition from an authorised body for some apprenticeships. This information is provided in the details of the apprenticeship on the find apprenticeship training.