20% Off the job training for Apprenticeships - A general guide for Employers

20% ‘Off the Job Training’ for Apprenticships and what you need to know.
Employer Commitment for Apprenticeship programmes.
A general guide for Employers.
What is the 20% ‘Off the Job’ Requirement?
Off-the-job training is defined as learning which takes place outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship.
It does not include training which takes place outside the learner’s paid working hours.The minimum duration of each apprenticeship qualification is based on the learner working 30 hours per week, or more including any off the job training - if the learner works less than 30 hours you must extend the minimum duration pro rata to take this into account ’
Anything not written into the standard as mandatory must not be paid for by the employer and cannot be part ‘of off the job training’.
The employer, and the training provider referenced in the Commitment Statement should agree upon how the 20% is met.
How Can the 20% be Met?
20% ‘Off the Job Training’ requirement can be met by:
Theoretical Teaching: Study Week/Workshops
Simulated exercise
Practical engagement (i.e., role playing)
Some online learning e.g. webinars/blended learning
Manufacturer training e.g. new equipment or technologies
Practical training
Shadowing
Receiving mentoring
Industry visits/visiting other companies/suppliers
Attendance at competitions
Visiting other employer departments
Learning support provided by the provider or the employer (e.g. Identifying a skills gap as part of a workplace observation and then working with the employer to educate and address the aforementioned deficit)
Time spent by the learner writing assessments/assignments
What We Cannot Use to Evidence the 20% Requirement:
Enrolment
Induction
Diagnostic assessment or prior assessment
English and maths (up to level 2)
Progress reviews or on programme assessment needed for an apprenticeship standard
Off the job training ONLY delivered by distance learning
(although including online and other blended learning activity as part of an apprenticeship, is permissible)
Training that takes place outside the learner’s paid working hours
For funding and audit purposes, all training providers will need to:
Have evidence that the learner spends at least 20% of their time on off-the-job training recognising that learners may need more than 20% off-the-job training, for example, whether they need to develop their English and Maths skills…
It is up to the employer/ training provider how the off-the-job training is delivered.
Evidence that the Training Provider Needs to Demonstrate:
A collection of documents and information brought together to form a single point of reference relating to the learning that is taking place. This provides the evidence to prove that the learner exists and is eligible for funding. The document must be accessible for the ESFA if required.
The pack must also include:
Details of the negotiated cost agreed between the employer and provider.
Details of how the 20% ‘off-the-job’ training, excluding English and maths, will be quantified and delivered.
Details of how English and Maths will be delivered.
Details of employment including: the name of the employer and the agreed contracted hours of employment, including paid training and 20% ‘off-the-job’ time, the total planned length of the apprenticeship.
The commitment statement signed and dated by the learner, employer and main Training provider.
Please see the government document for further information:
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For more information on how we can support you, please contact our team on:
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Pathway Group, A workforce development solutions provider.
Think Apprenticeship, think Pathway.
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