What Are Apprenticeships?
Explaining apprenticeships, the apprenticeship process, and the benefits to both employers and employees
What Is An Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a real job, which includes training as part of the employee’s duties. Apprentices earn whilst they learn, gaining valuable skills and knowledge through both their job role and the training provided. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, the apprentice will not only have gained hands-on experience within their job role, but they will also receive a nationally recognised academic qualification.
Apprenticeships can take anywhere from twelve months to five years to complete, depending on the apprenticeship programme. There are currently over 600 apprenticeship roles approved for delivery in the United Kingdom, covering a wide range of sectors and job roles. Organisations across all industries can recruit apprentices, either as new staff or as a way of upskilling their existing workforce.
Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for employers to upskill their employees, and for employees to develop into their new dream job role. Whether the apprentice is a new employee taking their first steps into their new workplace, or an existing employee who is looking to master their field, apprenticeships provide them with both the knowledge and practical experience to master their job roles, and bring innovation and excellence to their workplaces.
The Key Benefits For Employers
- Employing apprentices leads to lower overall training and recruitment costs and makes good business sense.
- Apprentices can help grow your business and help solve recruitment challenges
- Apprentices are loyal to the organisations that invest in them, therefore improving staff retention rates.
- Employing apprentices helps develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce, improving service, morale and productivity.
- Mentoring and training apprentices, enables senior staff to pass on their knowledge and experience.
- Apprenticeship standards are more job role specific than any other type of learning, therefore more relevant to your business needs.
The Key Benefits For Apprentices
- Earn a salary while you learn
- On the job training, to develop your career and increase your earning potential
- Development of transferable skills including English and maths
- No debts, the government and your employer pay your fees
- No upper age limit.
The Apprenticeship Process
Apprentices are allocated a skills & development coach by a training provider such as Dynamic Training, who will support and guide them for the duration of their apprenticeship.
Training with the skills and development coach is delivered regularly throughout the length of the apprenticeship, both online and within the workplace itself. The training will always take place during the apprentice's normal working hours. The apprentice does not need to leave the workplace, or work additional hours, as part of their apprenticeship.
Apprentices will work to complete their portfolio of evidence for their apprenticeship, and submit assignments to the required standard, so that they can complete their apprenticeship and receive their qualification. The apprentice will also be learning and developing new knowledge, skills and behaviours within their workplace, and using this as evidence within their apprenticeship.
The skills and development coach will hold regular meetings with their learner and line manager, to see how the apprentice is developing and how much progress they are making with their portfolio of evidence. These meetings ensure that the learner is receiving the right support from both their employer and their training provider, and help move the apprentice forwards in their apprenticeship.
Being an apprentice requires access to a computer or other electronic device, as well a good internet connection, in order to complete their work and join online training sessions. Dynamic Training use Microsoft Teams for online meetings, and OneFile as our e-portfolio.
End-Point Assessment
The end-point assessment (sometimes shortened to EPA) is the final stage of the apprenticeship journey, where the apprentice will be assessed on whether they have developed the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours for their apprenticeship standard.
The end-point assessment is completed by an impartial third-party organisation known as an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO). The end-point assessment can incorporate many different assessment methods, such as;
- Practical assessments
- Interviews
- A project
- Written tests
- Multiple-choice questionnaires
- Presentation
The EPAO will use the assessment to provide the apprentice with their overall grade. Apprenticeships can be graded as either a pass, merit or distinction.
The training provider, such as Dynamic Training, will work with the apprentice and their line manager, to confirm that all mandatory aspects of the apprenticeship have been completed and to ensure that the apprentice is ready for their end-point assessment.
Off-The-Job Training
Off-the-job training is training received by an apprentice during an apprentice’s normal working hours. This training is specifically for the purpose of achieving the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary for the apprentice to reach the required standard.
It is a statutory requirement for an apprentice to be provided the necessary amount of off-the-job training by their employer. The amount of time spent on off-the-job training is tracked within the apprentice's e-portfolio, to ensure that they are getting enough time.
Functional Skills Information
Functional Skills are qualifications in English and maths, embedded within apprenticeships, ensuring learners develop practical skills in the workplace.
- Entry Level 3: Assessed through internally marked tests in reading, writing, and maths, with a focus on everyday practical applications.
- Level 1 & Level 2: Assessed through externally marked exams in English (reading, writing, and speaking & listening) and maths, testing problem-solving and real-world application.
For Apprentices Aged 16-18 At The Start Of The Programme:
Level 2 apprenticeships, apprentices must achieve level 1 and attempt the Level 2 Functional Skills assessments in English and Maths if they haven’t already achieved a GCSE grade 4 (C) or higher.
- They do not need to pass the level 2 assessments to complete their apprenticeship.
- They must attempt the assessment as part of the apprenticeship funding rules.
Apprentices with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, or a legacy equivalent (SEN statement or LDA), may be eligible to achieve Entry Level 3 Functional Skills in English and maths instead of the standard Level 1 or 2 requirements. This flexibility also applies if a thorough, evidence-based assessment by a qualified professional (such as the Head of SEN or an equivalent expert) identifies a learning difficulty or disability that presents a barrier to achieving the higher levels.
For level 3 apprenticeships and above, apprentices must pass Level 2 Functional Skills if they have not already achieved a GCSE grade 4 or higher.
Apprentices with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, or a legacy equivalent (SEN statement or LDA), may be eligible to achieve Entry Level 3 Functional Skills in English and maths instead of the standard Level 1 or 2 requirements. This flexibility also applies if a thorough, evidence-based assessment by a qualified professional (such as the Head of SEN or an equivalent expert) identifies a learning difficulty or disability that presents a barrier to achieving the higher levels.
For Apprentices Aged 19+ At The Start Of The Programme:
Apprentices aged 19+ have the option to opt in or opt out of Functional Skills in English and / or Maths, with employer agreement.
If the apprentice opts in, they must undertake the assessments for the level they are working towards (e.g., Entry Level, Level 1, or Level 2). They can still complete their apprenticeship by proceeding directly to the End Point Assessment (EPA) without needing to pass Functional Skills assessments.
If the apprentice chooses not to opt in, they will complete the apprenticeship by proceeding directly to the End Point Assessment (EPA) without needing to upskill in maths and/ or English or pass Functional Skills assessments.
Please consider carefully, should you opt out, you may be affecting future progression opportunities.
Who Is Involved In An Apprenticeship?
Each of the following roles are designed to support the learner’s development and ensure they achieve success in all aspects of their training programme.
Skills & Development Coach
The Skills & Development Coach will work closely with the learner to enhance their knowledge, skills, and behaviours. They will provide tailored coaching to help them reach your full potential and succeed in their training programme.
Functional Skills Tutor
If the apprentice has opted-in to functional skills, the functional skills tutor will support the apprentice in developing essential English and maths skills.
Employer, Line Manager, or Supervisor
Throughout the training, the employer, line manager, or supervisor will provide valuable feedback, encouragement, and support from within the workplace itself.
End Point Assessor
At the end of the apprenticeship, an end-point assessor from the independent end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) will evaluate the learner’s competency.
Job Coach
For individuals in supported employment, a job coach will provide on-the-job training, ongoing guidance, and support. They will help the learner to develop essential workplace skills, overcome barriers, and achieve long-term employment success.
Workplace Mentor
The Workplace Mentor will offer practical guidance and feedback to help the learner apply their learning in real-world scenarios. They will also support their integration into the workplace culture and encourage their professional growth.
Internal Quality Assurer (IQA)
The Internal Quality Assurer ensures the quality of the learner’s training and assessment by providing feedback to assessors and monitoring your progress.
External Quality Assurer (EQA)
To maintain high standards, the External Quality Assurer will review and validate the quality of the learner’s training and assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apprenticeships
Click on a question below to answer some of the frequently questions we get asked about apprenticeships, being an apprentice and the practicalities of the apprenticeship process.
Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 or over, entitled to live in England and who are no longer in full-time education.
Whether they are starting their working career or are already in the workplace looking to upskill or retrain, apprenticeships can provide an opportunity to increase skills and knowledge.
As there is no upper age limit, apprenticeships can be a great way for working professionals to help achieve career progression or for career changers to learn a new profession.
With an apprenticeship, employees have a fantastic opportunity to learn, gaining industry desired skills and knowledge and behaviours in the workplace.
Apprentices can be employed as a new apprentice on a fixed term contract or you they can be an existing member of staff who would like to upskill or retrain.
Once an apprentice starts their programme, they are allocated a Skills & Development Coach from Dynamic Training, who will support them for the duration of their training and ensure they are ready for end point assessment.
Additionally, employers are expected to provide apprentices with a workplace mentor who is normally a senior member of staff, but who is not the apprentices' direct manager.
Working hours vary depending on the employer, however the minimum duration of an apprenticeship (12 months) is based on an apprentice working 30 paid hours per week. For apprentices working less hours, the apprenticeship duration must be extended.
You can find out more about off-the-job training from the below page which fully breaks down how many hours an apprenticeship requires.
For existing staff members, their existing rate of pay will not be affected and you will not have to take a pay cut to become an apprentice.
For new entrant employed as an apprentice, you can view the minimum wages on the government's website.
You are able to search and apply for all apprenticeship vacancies using the National Apprenticeship Service website
Already Working: If you are looking to complete your apprenticeship with your current employer, first talk to your line manager about the opportunity to start an apprenticeship. We will gladly then talk to your employer about the options available to get you started.
Employer Responsibilities During Apprenticeships
Employers are responsible for paying their apprentice’s salary and issuing their contract of employment. Apprentices must be inducted into their role and provided on-the-job training, as well as allowing apprentices the necessary off-the-job training time.
By employing an apprentice, employers have to meet the following requirements:
- An Apprenticeship Agreement between the employer and the apprentice must be in place
- A Commitment statement is to be completed by an employer, the apprentice and the training provider.
- An apprentice should be paid the correct rate of pay for their age. The current wage information can be found on the government's website.
- All apprentices must receive the same benefits and right as other employees.
Watch Our Apprenticeship Information Session
Still Want To Know More?
Join us on one of our apprenticeship information sessions where we can support you with any queries you have and help you make an informed decision about the programme.
Learn More About Apprenticeships
Dynamic Training cares deeply about creating an inclusive and accessible enviroment for our learners. We have a proud record of getting the best out of every learner and adjusting our training to suit them.
Learn more about how Dynamic Training has worked to make all of its training as inclusive as possible.
What is Off-The-Job Training in the Apprenticeship process? Lets explain how Apprentices balance their day-to-day activities, and the requirements which organisations have in regards to this.
Dynamic Training is an apprenticeship, adult education, and bespoke training specialist. We work with a diverse customer base across a variety of sectors, with a significant presence within the health and care sector. We have grown from strength to strength, organically, through business-to-business recommendations and the strength of our reputation for providing high quality learning and development solutions and delivery.