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Apprenticeship qualifications:

2.How an apprenticeship works

On this page:

    Introduction

    This guidance will help you understand:

    • what is involved in an apprenticeship
    • learning styles your qualification may include
    • how you’ll record your learning
    • how you’ll be assessed.

    The length of an apprenticeship depends on the level of qualification you're working towards.

    How you will learn

    Throughout your apprenticeship, you will undertake ‘off the job learning’ for at least six hours a week. This learning will include both practical-based learning and theory-based learning.

    The exact requirements will depend on the type and level of qualification you are undertaking. You’ll read more about this when you are identifying a suitable qualification.

    Practical-based learning

    At the start of your apprenticeship, you’ll have a meeting with your manager and assessor to decide which of the job tasks you carry out as part of your role will count towards your apprenticeship. This is to make sure that the tasks that you do for your practical-based learning will benefit you, and the wider team or service.

    These tasks might include doing things like:

    • working alongside colleagues and observing how tasks are carried out
    • observing meetings with colleagues
    • attending conferences
    • working with a coach or mentor to identify practical solutions to handling a situation
    • doing work placements with other teams in your service area
    • going on site visits with colleagues
    • taking on extra duties to help with a colleague’s workload or during their absence
    • completing short projects or internal consultancy for a team or service
    • swapping jobs with a colleague.

    Once the tasks are agreed, your training provider will prepare a training plan/commitment statement, which you, your manager or mentor and training provider must sign.

    Case studies

    The case studies below show different ways that practical-based learning can be delivered.

    Theory-based learning

    Theory-based learning happens ‘off-the-job’ and is based on established theories to guide your education. It helps you to understand key concepts that you can use in different situations, including the practical-based tasks you’ll do in your apprenticeship.

    Theory-based learning includes:

    • attending classes at college or university, either for one day a week or for a block of time like one week every term
    • using eLearning packages as required for your role
    • taking part in online lectures, virtual forums or webinars.

    Case studies

    The case studies show different ways that theory-based learning can be delivered.

    Learning portfolio

    Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll build a portfolio to:

    • demonstrate how you’ve met the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required by the qualification
    • prove your ability to perform the tasks needed in your role
    • detail the practical experience and skills you’ve gained
    • highlight key projects you’ve worked on.

    Make sure you update your portfolio regularly and include evidence of your:

    This will:

    • help you to track your progress
    • showcase your development over the course of your apprenticeship
    • form the basis of discussions with your manager, mentor and training provider.

    End-point assessment

    Once you have finished your training, you’ll take a graded end-point assessment. This may involve multiple independent assessments to confirm your knowledge, skills and behaviours. These assessments may include:

    • formal tests or exams
    • multiple choice tests
    • interviews
    • presentations
    • professional discussions.

    The training provider will help you prepare, and support you until you take the assessment.

    Grant, Aborist (level 3)

    As part of his apprenticeship qualification, Grant goes to the training provider’s site for a week of training.

    The rest of his allocated learning time is spent shadowing colleagues and doing agreed tasks (under supervision). Sometimes, he also takes part in training sessions at his workplace.

    Grant keeps a record of all his learning in a learning log, which he reviews with his manager and assessor at a monthly face-to-face meeting.

    Scott, Teacher (level 6)

    Scott spends some of his training working with different classes and year groups instead of his usual class. This is to help him develop further teaching skills and to support the school as a whole.

    He keeps track of his learning time in his learning log, and notes down how his experiences differ from one class to another and with different year groups, even though he is working at the same school.

    Natalie, Adult Care Worker (level 2)

    Natalie doesn’t have a fixed place of work as her job involves being out in the field.

    For her apprenticeship qualification, she receives on-the-job training in the workplace from her training provider. Assessors visit her regularly to observe her work.

    Between these visits, Natalie is building a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate how she’s applying what she’s learnt.

    Zoe, Data Analyst (level 4)

    Zoe’s apprenticeship qualification has 12 separate units and she’ll complete one unit each month.

    Her training provider has set the amount of hours she should spend on each unit. For the first unit, she must:

    • spend three hours with a tutor
    • do three hours of self-study (online tasks)
    • use the remaining 18 hours on a mix of theory and practical tasks.

    Tanya, Chartered Manager Apprenticeship Degree (level 6)

    Tanya is taking a degree-level apprenticeship qualification.

    She goes to university one day a week during term time, which makes up her six hours a week of off the job learning.

    Her six hours a week of off the job learning is made up of:

    • attending university one day a week during term time
    • spending one day a week outside of term time, building a portfolio of evidence that includes:
      • assignments
      • a reflective journal log
      • projects and observations from her job.

    When she finishes her apprenticeship qualification, she will achieve the Apprenticeship Standard in her field (Chartered Manager), and an apprenticeship degree, such as BA Hons Leadership and Management.

    Matt, Civil Engineering Apprenticeship Degree (level 6)

    Matt works full-time, while completing a four-year practice-focused engineering degree as part of his apprenticeship qualification.

    At the start of each year, he attends a two-day tailored induction at the university, followed by two days per term to consolidate learning and assess his progress. The rest of his degree is delivered through online distance learning.

    Each week, Matt joins a dedicated virtual forum with his peers. He also has access to virtual seminars, academic resources and case studies. He also shares his experiences with peers and works on projects.

    A work-based trainer supports his studies and observes him at work. This helps to inform academic learning and assessment processes.

    Record your learning (off the job training)

    Your learning time should be recorded weekly and it can be:

    • within the working day
    • completed per week, such as one day a week at college or university
    • divided over the course of the qualification, such as a block week of study.

    You must document any learning using a diary or learning log. This can include the date, what you did and what you’ve learnt. Your training provider will give you more guidance on this.

    We recommend your learning log is monitored in one-to-one meetings, or through supervision between your manager or mentor and you.

    Avoid plagiarism

    You must not copy someone else's work - this is called plagiarism and is a form of cheating. It can reduce the value of your qualification and stop you from properly learning and developing your own understanding.

    Plagiarism includes copying from sources without clearly stating where the information came from, for example:

    • books
    • websites
    • tools, such as ChatGPT, Editpad, Copilot or Essay Genius.

    If is suspected that your work is plagiarised, it will be taken seriously by the training provider and investigated.

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