Maximising Apprenticeship Success Through Off-the-Job Training

At Solveway Apprenticeships, we understand that real-world experience is crucial to any apprenticeship. However, while apprentices gain valuable skills through hands-on work, the UK government requires that at least 20% of an apprentice's working week be spent in off-the-job training. This is an integral part of the apprenticeship process, designed to enhance the apprentice's knowledge, skills, and behaviours beyond their daily work activities. Let’s dive deeper into what off-the-job training means and why it’s so important for both apprentices and employers.

What Is Off-the-Job Training?

Off-the-job training is any learning activity that takes place outside the day-to-day responsibilities of an apprentice’s job role. Unlike on-the-job training, which happens as part of the apprentice’s regular duties, off-the-job training is designed to develop an apprentice’s skills and understanding in ways that go beyond the immediate demands of their specific job. This type of training is delivered during normal working hours and is directly related to the content of the apprenticeship programme. About (solveway.co.uk)

While on-the-job training accounts for the majority of an apprentice’s time – typically around 80% – off-the-job training provides a structured way to ensure apprentices develop the broader knowledge, skills, and behaviours they need to succeed in their chosen career. For apprentices on AAT, IT, or Data programmes at Solveway Apprenticeships, this could include anything from workshops and classroom learning to e-learning, shadowing professionals, or project work that is directly linked to their apprenticeship standards.

Why Is Off-the-Job Training Necessary?

Apprenticeships are designed to develop competence across a full occupation, rather than just preparing someone for a specific job role. This means off-the-job training needs to cover a broad set of skills and knowledge areas, enabling apprentices to be adaptable and prepared for a range of future career opportunities.

For example, in IT or Data apprenticeships, off-the-job training might involve learning about broader industry standards or new technologies that are not part of the apprentice's immediate work responsibilities but are essential to their long-term career growth. The purpose of this training is to provide apprentices with a well-rounded education that will make them valuable to their current and future employers.

Aligning Off-the-Job and On-the-Job Training

A key point to note is that off-the-job training should always be aligned with what apprentices are learning through their on-the-job experiences. At Solveway Apprenticeships, we work closely with employers to ensure that the training we provide supports the apprentice's development in a cohesive way. For example, the tasks apprentices perform at work may align with topics covered during their off-the-job training, creating a seamless blend of learning and practical application.

Employers also play a crucial role in facilitating this training. They must ensure that apprentices have the time and resources to meet the 20% requirement. Off-the-job training can be scheduled flexibly – it may take place as part of a regular weekly routine or in larger blocks of time, depending on what works best for the apprentice and employer.

Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours

At the core of every apprenticeship are three key components: knowledge, skills, and behaviours. These elements form the foundation of both on-the-job and off-the-job training.

• Knowledge is the technical information and understanding an apprentice needs, which can be learned through off-the-job sessions such as workshops, courses, or independent study.
• Skills are the practical applications of this knowledge, often honed through both on-the-job experience and off-the-job exercises, such as case studies or group projects.
• Behaviours refer to the attitudes and approaches required for the role, which are developed through mentoring, feedback, and reflection, often as part of off-the-job activities.

Support from Solveway Apprenticeships

At Solveway Apprenticeships, we provide apprentices and employers with all the support they need to make off-the-job training a success. Our team is committed to delivering tailored training sessions that not only meet the 20% requirement but also complement the apprentice’s on-the-job learning. From additional workshops to one-on-one guidance, we ensure that apprentices feel confident in their development and ready to succeed in their End Point Assessment (EPA).

By balancing on-the-job experience with structured off-the-job training, apprentices can develop a full range of competencies that will set them up for long-term success. At Solveway, we’re here to guide you every step of the way! Contact (solveway.co.uk)

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