How does an apprenticeship work?

An apprenticeship is made up of 4 main elements:

• On the job training – delivered by the employer. Training that is directly related to the job role and will support the apprentice to carry out their duties.
• Off the job training – delivered by the training provider within the apprentice’s normal working hours. This training will teach the apprentice all of the skills, knowledge and behaviours as set out in the apprenticeship standard that they are studying towards in order that they achieve occupational competence.

Apprentices must spend at least 20% of their working hours completing off the job training. This is flexible and can be either 1 day per week, blocked out time, a proportion of daily working hours, and will always be arranged with the employer at the beginning of the apprenticeship.

• English and Maths – An apprentice may also need to study for maths and English as part of their apprenticeship if it hasn’t already been achieved at GCSE or equivalent. This training also takes place within normal working hours but is not counted towards the 20% off the job.
• End Point Assessment – EPA is the final assessment of the skills, knowledge and behaviours that the apprentice has learners during their time on programme and is validation of their occupational competence following their learning. Assessments have been designed by employers in the sectors and are conducted by independent bodies know as end point assessment organisations (EPAOs). An apprentice will only get their apprenticeship certificate after passing all elements of their EPA.

For more information on becoming an apprentice or hiring an apprentice/upskilling a current staff member, please visit: apprenticeships.gov.uk.