During their apprenticeship, your apprentice will receive two different types of training:
‘Off-the-job’ training is delivered by a training provider during the normal working hours of your apprentice. This training will teach your apprentice the knowledge, skills and behaviours laid out in the apprenticeship standard so they can achieve occupational competence.
‘On-the-job’ training will be delivered by you, as the employer. You'll need to give your apprentices sufficient training and supervision to help them perform in the job that you've hired them for.
Off-the-job training
Apprentices must spend at least 20% of their working hours completing off-the-job training. It can be flexible and doesn’t have to mean 1 day out of the workplace every week. For example, training could take place:
online
at the apprentice’s place of work
at a college or university or with a training provider
Or it could be a combination of these options. In addition, the frequency can vary. For example, you can dedicate:
1 day a week
part of a working day
blocks of time
For instance, some apprenticeships start with a block of training to get the apprentice work-ready. You can agree a suitable training schedule to suit the needs of your business with your training provider.
English and Maths
Your apprentice may also need to study for maths and English qualifications as part of their apprenticeship. You must allow your apprentice time to study for these qualifications within their normal working hours. Studying for English and maths is not counted as part of the 20% minimum off-the-job training requirement.
An apprenticeship agreement
An apprenticeship agreement is used to confirm all individual employment arrangements between the apprentice and the employer. You and your apprentice must sign an apprenticeship agreement as it includes:
how long you’ll employ them for
the training they’ll receive
their working conditions
the qualifications they are working towards
You can write your own or download an apprenticeship agreement template here.
An apprenticeship commitment statement
You must also sign an apprenticeship commitment statement with your apprentice and the training provider. It must include:
the planned content and schedule for training
what is expected and offered by the employer, the training organisation and the apprentice
how to resolve queries or complaints
You can write your own or use the apprenticeship commitment statement template. Find out more about commitment statements in the apprenticeship funding rules.
END-POINT ASSESSMENT
End-point assessment (EPA) is an assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours that your apprentice has learned throughout an apprenticeship, which confirms that they are occupationally competent. Assessments have been designed by employers in the sector and are conducted by independent bodies known as end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs). You must select an EPAO as soon as possible at the beginning of the apprenticeship. The apprentice will only get their apprenticeship certificate after they have passed all the elements of their EPA, including any required standards in English and maths.
Finding an End-Point Assessment Organisation
You can find an end-point assessment organisation here for your apprentice. You should agree a price with the EPAO for the assessment and then your training provider must make contract with them on your behalf within 3 months of the starting date of the apprenticeship. We expect that the cost of end-point assessment should not usually exceed 20% of the funding band maximum for the apprenticeship.
What does the assessment involve?
Each apprenticeship includes an end-point assessment plan, which describes how the apprentice should be tested against appropriate criteria, using suitable methods. For example, your apprentice may need to complete:
a practical assessment
an interview
a project
written and/or multiple-choice tests
a presentation
It is worth getting in touch with your EPAO early on in the apprenticeship to check what the assessment entails. This will give your apprentice adequate time to prepare for the end-point assessment. For example, they may need to gather evidence to show how they’ve been working towards the core knowledge, skills and behaviours required within their role.
Certification
When your apprentice successfully completes their apprenticeship and passes their EPA, they’ll be awarded a certificate.
The EPAO will request this certificate on your behalf. For some apprenticeships, passing the EPA and completing the apprenticeship will also lead to professional recognition by an authorised body. This is outlined in the apprenticeship details on find apprenticeship training.
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