When talking to employers across the country we often hear concerns around the 20% requirement for off the job activity and how this can be accommodated in busy, lean commercial environments.
It is true that off the job training must be delivered away from the apprentices normal working duties.
Therefore must teach new knowledge, skills and behaviours which are directly relevant to the specific apprenticeships.
This can be delivered flexibly and could be captured from existing training programmes, meetings, research or time spent with their tutor.
Robust initial assessment at the beginning of the apprenticeship will explore all activities and agree which are suitable and relevant.
The key to ensuring we capture all off the job activities
Set out from the beginning what does and indeed doesn’t constitute off the job and we have developed a broad range of delivery styles that suit the employer and the apprentice.
Planning is crucial at the beginning to agree all off the job activities, where they should take place and who is best placed to deliver them.
A commitment statement is agreed from the beginning and this sets out the training content that the apprentice will receive and which elements will count to the off the job training.
The day to day activities are captured by our online learning platform which calculates each off-the-job hour.
Apprentices just input their learning activity like normal and simply select whether it was completed off the job.
This data is automatically calculated into a percentage and displayed on the dashboard, therefore learners can track their progress easily.
Employers and tutors can also report on the off-the-job activity to monitor how their apprentices are progressing
Off the job activities must be planned during the apprentices paid working hours.
However if there is work such as research or professional discussion outside of these planned hours this can be attributed towards the 20% requirement.
The current expectation is for each apprentice to commit 6 hours per week to their off the job learning
Which can involve attending a meeting or training activity and completing any work set by their tutor such as answering questions, watching a tutorial and/or collaborating with colleagues and mentors on best practice/ guidance.
What can & can't be used for 20% off the job training
CAN:
- Theory – such as lectures, role playing, online learning, simulation exercises or manufacturer training.
- Practical training apprentices wouldn’t usually do during the week – such as shadowing, mentoring, industry visits or competitions.
- Learning support and time spent writing assignments
CAN’T:
- English and maths (up to level two) which is funded separately
- Progress reviews or on-programme assessments that are required in the apprenticeship standards
- Training that takes place outside the apprentice’s paid working hours
- English and Maths is not included in the 20%
Apprentices completing their Maths & English will need additional time off on top of the 20%.
Riverside has worked hard to ensure that all opportunities to capture off the job activities.
For each apprenticeship they offer has been simplified allowing the employer and learner to concentrate fully on their development.
