Before the apprentice starts the course they will complete an onboarding process with the work-based coach to help them plan and prepare. During this time the apprentice will be sent a link via the Maytas system to complete a skills scan.
This scan is designed to review how much professional knowledge, skills, and behaviours the apprentice currently has (rating from 0-9 based on competency). Please help the apprentice to complete this. It is a starting point only and will help to understand growth targets and development areas. These are the milestones and descriptors for the skills scan.
UG – L4-5-6 Apprenticeship Milestones 0-9 v-AIIR June2021
PG – L7 Apprenticeship Milestones 0-9 v-AIIR June2021
Encourage the apprentice to be honest about their current ability and knowledge about the profession as a whole and not just the area they currently work, or have worked in before. The apprentice needs to demonstrate to the funding body that they will benefit from substantial learning, therefore they need to show they have areas they need to develop in.
It is important to realise that we only expect the apprentice to achieve Milestones 7, 8 or 9 when they are near completing your apprenticeship. It is ok to be at milestones ‘0, 1, 2’ at the start of the course, as it means there is plenty to learn and the programme is designed to help them.
Here are some FAQs on the skills scan with additional guidance.
When the apprentice has completed the skills scan, the work-based coach will then signpost the apprentice to completing the starting point exercise.
Maytas is a learner management solution that supports apprenticeships and training. This is the system apprentices will access to record and store data such as their skills scan, off-the-job-learning hours and evidence of learning.
You will be able to access this system so that you can monitor progress. You will be sent a link to access the system once your role is confirmed during the onboarding stage.
For further information and guidance on how to access this, please visit the MAYTAS Hub Guidance found on the Homepage of AIIR.
For some apprentices transitioning into Higher Education and academic study/writing skills can seem daunting. At SHU we offer lots of support for apprentices to help with this transition and encourage ongoing development throughout the course to meet individualised learning needs.
Here are some resources and activities that have been specifically developed to help preparation and transition. All apprentices will receive this information, but you can help signpost and support them with some of these activities.
• Mandatory Preparatory Activity 1 – Apprenticeship Starting Point – Review your Skill Scan and complete the table as far as possible so you are ready to individualise your journey at the start of teaching and learning.
• Mandatory Preparatory Activity 2 – Transition to Higher Education – kickstart your critical reflective skills to help build your Apprenticeship Training Plan. This 5 step exercise will get you started.
These activities will be used as part of the first module teaching
Click on the link below to access the AHP Degree Apprenticeship Preparation website- this really useful resource was developed in collaboration with current learners to aid transition to the apprenticeships. It contains lots of helpful information, advice and activities that can be completed by apprentices at their own pace. Apprentices will receive this resource before they start the course and they can refer to throughout the apprenticeship. None of the activities are mandatory and there is no expectation to read/use it, but it can be helpful in ensuring apprentices feel prepared- as an employer/WBM you can encourage apprentices to refer to this for early support.
https://sites.google.com/view/ahpapprenticeshippreparationns/home
Access to amazing resources for apprentices:
• Apprentices can contact our disability support team if they think they might have additional learning needs. They can have an assessment and this may result in a formal learning contract with reasonable adjustments to support them throughout the course. Additional Learning Needs.
Here is useful information regarding digital skills, about IT support, how to access emails, timetables
https://www.shu.ac.uk/digital-skills
https://www.shu.ac.uk/digital-skills/personal/email
• Benefit from the University’s excellent Skills Centre. Enrolled learners can identify strengths and weaknesses. Support packages include critical thinking, academic writing, maths, digital development, time planning…
• All Apprentices can register for Library Access for Distance Learners, for more flexible for borrowing.
• Enrolled learners can set up a free LinkedIn Learning account with access to extensive additional training resources.