Apprenticeship Essentials

Professional (Occupational) standard- is a description of an occupation. It contains an occupational profile, and describes the ‘knowledge, skills and behaviours’ (KSBs) needed for someone to be competent in the occupation’s duties. The standards are developed by employers for occupations that meet the Institute’s current occupation criteria.  Along with an end-point assessment plan (EPA) and funding band, the occupational standard is a component part of an apprenticeship. You can find the different professional standards on the Institute for Apprenticeships website

KSBs- these Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours and represent the core attributes that an apprentice must have in order to be competent in the occupation they are working in. You will be working towards achievement of these throughout the course. Each module in the curriculum  will state how the learning and content is working towards key KSBs.

Portfolio-this is a collection of evidence of your development and achievements over your course, working towards the KSBs and professional standard. This is commonly is developed using an electronic platform such as PebblePAD.

On-the-job learning- this is when you work within your normal role with your employed organisation. You will be able to apply your new learning within the parameters of your scope of practice (as per employment contract). You will negotiate annual leave with your employer during this period. Annual leave should not be taken during teaching or placement blocks.

Off-the-job learning (OTJL) For Apprentices enrolling on or after September 2022, the target is 6 hours for every working week, to be accumulated during the course of the apprenticeship, or higher targets set by SHU where required. This is to ensure that every apprentice has enough time to learn and develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) set out in their Apprenticeship Standard. This means the equivalent of approximately one day per working week, on average and over the duration of the apprenticeship should be spent gaining new KSBs. The location can vary and the type of activity is flexible (this may include academic teaching, placement learning, shadowing, preparation for assessments). All learners must be logging the hours and activities regularly, using the OTJT log in the MAYTAS Hub System.  You can ask your Coach for help  with this when you start the course.

Training Plan- At the start of every apprenticeship there is a three-way agreement which used to be called the Commitment Statemnet and is now called the  Training Plan (from September 2022) and includes a series of obligations, commitment and expectations between the Apprentice, their employer and the apprentice training provider (Sheffield Hallam University). This includes a summary of how the OTJT is planned.

Work-based mentor (WBM)- this is someone from within your own employed organisation who support your development throughout the apprenticeship. They will attend progress reviews with you and your work-based coach to monitor and discuss your development and achievement of the KSBs. They should meet with you at regular intervals whilst on the job and support opportunities for off-the-job learning whilst in the workplace.

Work-based coach (WBC)-  this is someone employed by SHU who supports you from onboarding through to end point assessment (EPA). They will meet every 12 weeks for progress reviews with you and your work-based mentor to discuss and support your progress and development. They will monitor your off-the-job learning, attendance, academic performance, portfolio development and readiness for gateway and passing through the EPA. 

Progress review- this takes place every 12 weeks with the apprentice, WBM and WBC. This is mandatory throughout the course and is a chance to monitor, record and discuss development. Part of the review is to monitor and action plan the achievement of OTJT with the Apprentice and their mentor in the workplace and supports working towards and achievement of the KSBs.

End point assessment (EPA)- this is the final stage of your apprenticeship and is a way to assess competence and that you have met the KSBs that are unique to the apprenticeship standard. You will work towards the EPA throughout the apprenticeship and your WBM and WBC will ensure readiness, with you demonstrating evidence in your portfolio.

Apprentice Responsibilities as stated and signed against by the apprentice in the training plan

1. The Apprentice commits to the successful completion of the Apprenticeship.

2. The Apprentice shall actively participate in all elements of the Apprenticeship, both academic and work-based (Course work, assignments and exams required), in accordance with any instructions and/or guidance received from the University, the Subcontractor and/or the Employer from time to time.

3. The Apprentice should agree, with the employer and main provider, when learning is complete and that they are ready to undertake the end-point assessment.

4. The Apprentice shall:

• Give the main provider relevant information to assist in learner and on programme eligibility checks;

• Attend training sessions, either on- or off-the-job, as and when required (Or notify the provider/ employer in advance where possible of non-attendance);

• Commit to the learning activities required in each module, including any additional self-study and research (to take place during working hours);

• Abide by good practice principles for respecting confidentiality when engaging in collaborative discussions and development opportunities with staff and other apprentices;

• Liaise with the University's work-based learning coach, the University’s Course Leader and the Subcontractor's Course Leader (Where applicable) and the Employer's nominated mentor in relation to any reviews, monitoring, or audits required for the Apprenticeship;

• Provide any information and all documentation relevant to the Apprenticeship on request including the collection of evidence and a log for off-the-job training;

• Abide by the University's Terms and Conditions, Regulations, policies and working practices (located at https://students.shu.ac.uk/regulations), as well as those of the Subcontractor (located at https://www.sheffcol.ac.uk/about-us/terms-and-conditions), the Employer and the Apprentice Assessment Organisation;

• Notify the University immediately about any change in circumstance (as set out in the Education and Skills Funding Agency's Funding Rules) which may affect their ability to successfully complete their Apprenticeship as originally planned, including if they leave the employment of the Employer or withdraws from learning, whether on a temporary or permanent basis (for example, due to circumstances of ill-health, maternity/paternity or redundancy); • Liaise with the University, the Subcontractor and the Employer in relation to, and take all necessary steps to give effect to, any actions required to be taken as a result of any change in circumstances (as set out in the Funding Rules);

• Not use a student loan to pay for the Apprenticeship or be asked to contribute financially towards their apprenticeship even if they leave their current employment;

• Shall attend 3 way reviews with their Employer Mentor and Work Based Learning Coach every 12 weeks as per the funding rules. 5. The Apprentice understands that in the event of them breaching the University’s Regulations and/or those of the Subcontractor, the University will conduct disciplinary proceedings in accordance with its student disciplinary procedures. All decisions made with regards to academic disciplinary proceedings will be at the sole discretion of the University. 6. The apprentice should bring any issues to the attention of the employer, including any learning support / health issues that night effect the plan of training

Attendance at taught sessions (online and on campus)and progress reviews is mandatory. You will register your attendance through this app and a system called JISC. Your attendance will be regularly reviewed and discussed at your progress review meetings..

Annual leave should be taken in your on the job work, normal employed work time as agreed through your normal process with your employer- you should not take annual leave during teaching or placement blocks