Apprenticeship policy

Induction and appraisal 

In addition to the regular employee induction, an apprentice will have an induction to the learning programme. A representative from the training provider or satellite centre will do this. It will ensure the apprentice is clear on what is required to achieve the apprenticeship. The apprentice will have appraisals, as per our performance and development appraisal policy.  

Apprenticeship agreement - statutory requirement

It is a statutory requirement for an apprentice and manager to complete an apprenticeship agreement. The training provider or employer provider provision will support you with this. Our apprenticeship agreement must be used for all our apprentices.
 
The agreement gives details of the:
  • apprentice details (name, place of work)
  • the apprenticeship standard and level being followed
  • start and end date of the apprenticeship (this includes end point assessment)
  • start and end date of the practical period (this excludes end point assessment)
  • duration of the practical period
  • amount of time the apprentice will spend in off-the-job training
Where an apprenticeship agreement has not been issued, agreed and signed, please urgently contact talent@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

Training plan between the employer, apprentice and training provider

The employer, apprentice and training provider must have contributed to and signed a copy of the training plan before:

  • the apprenticeship practical period starts
  • the apprenticeship agreement is signed.

This must set out:

  • the training that will be delivered in the practical period
  • how the apprentice, employer and provider will support the achievement of the apprenticeship

The training plan must be kept up to date with any material changes (for example, as a result of changes agreed at a progress review).

The training plan will also include programme information, such as:
  • details of the apprenticeship, including start and end-dates. It may include end-point assessment and milestones for mandatory or other qualification achievements 
  • details about the funding for each element
  • a list of all organisations delivering the training, including English and Maths, if relevant. You should confirm the apprentice assessment organisation, if relevant 
  • the roles and responsibilities for the manager and the apprentice 
  • arrangements for how both parties will work together. This will include contact details. Each party will commit to the day-to-day delivery of the apprenticeship, including:  
    • apprentice - attendance and study time, including off-the-job training
    • employer – a commitment to wages and time off to study in the working day, and support and guidance 
    • training provider - help and advice available and how to access this 
  • the process for resolving any queries or complaints regarding the apprenticeship. This will include any quality issues, contact details, and the escalation process to the education and skills funding agency
Where a training plan has not been implemented, please urgently contact talent@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

Six hours per week off-the-job training 

All apprentices on 30 hours or more, must spend at least six hours of their working week in off-the-job training or learning. For part-time apprentices, off-the-job hours will be calculated before the commencement of the apprenticeship. This is learning which takes place outside the typical day-to-day working environment. It contributes to the achievement of the apprenticeship. This includes training delivered at the apprentice's regular place of work. It must not be part of their everyday working duties. 

An apprentice must complete a monthly timesheet. These will evidence attendance and study time, and activities undertaken as part of the off-the-job training. 

An apprentice must meet with their training provider at least every four weeks.

The off-the-job training will be directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard and must: 

  • be planned, reviewed and evaluated by the apprentice and a tutor, teacher, mentor or manager 
  • allow access as and when required by the apprentice either to a tutor, teacher, mentor or manager 
  • be delivered during contracted working hours 
  • be provided through one or more of the following methods: 
    • theory training
    • lectures 
    • role playing 
    • simulation exercises 
    • online learning 
    • product training 
    • practical training: 
    • shadowing 
    • mentoring 
    • industry visits 
    • attendance at competitions 
    • learning support and time spent writing assessments or assignments 
  • be formally recorded, either in a diary or workbook, and be verified by a timesheet  

Off-the-job training does not include: 

  • English and maths up to level 2 or GCSE Grade 4, where the programme requires the apprentice to achieve these 
  • progress reviews or on-programme assessments needed for an apprenticeship standard 
  • learning which takes place outside the apprentice's regular working hours. This cannot count towards the six hours off-the-job training

It is up to the employer and provider to decide when learning is best delivered. It could be delivered, for example:  

  • as a proportion of every day 
  • one day a week throughout 
  • one week out of every five 
  • as a proportion at the beginning, middle or end 

The decision will depend upon:

  • what is best for the organisation and the apprentice
  • the technical or theoretical requirements of the apprenticeship standard

For further guidance from the Department for Education, read apprenticeship off-the-job training: policy background and examples. 

Review 

We will regularly review the progress and quality of the apprenticeship training. This will involve the apprentice, their manager and the employer provider provision or training provider. It also provides an opportunity to discuss any challenges encountered.

Print this document