How can apprenticeships be delivered for your business?
This guidance explains how apprenticeship training can be delivered flexibly around the needs of your business.
Applies to England
The traditional delivery model of off-the-job training means apprentices attend college or a training provider one day a week and spend four days with the employer.
This is an example of what works well for a lot of employers, but it’s not the only option. For some sectors, it can help to adapt how training is delivered to better meet their needs.
Flexible training
Sectors that have non-typical working patterns, such as shift work or project-based employment, may need to adapt how or when training is delivered. Some employers in these sectors will work with their training providers to agree a different delivery model, such as blocks of training.
Front-loaded apprenticeships are an example of this, where a block of training is delivered at the start of the apprenticeship to help the apprentice gain key knowledge and skills early on.
This intensive delivery at the beginning of the apprenticeship can help apprentices get up to speed quickly before they enter the workplace. It is particularly common in sectors such as construction or health and social care, where it’s helpful to have covered training on elements such as health and safety.
Front-loaded training is also useful for young people who are new to their role or industry.
Accelerated apprenticeships
It’s not only how the training is delivered that can be flexible. Apprentices who have some prior knowledge or skills before starting their apprenticeship can have this recognised as prior learning.
Training on the elements they’re already familiar with can be removed from their training plan and need not be repeated. This means they should be able to complete their programme more quickly, which has benefits for both them and the employer.
If an apprenticeship is reduced in duration by at least three months, it becomes an accelerated apprenticeship.
Those likely to be able to accelerate their apprenticeships include existing employees using apprenticeships to upskill into more senior roles, and those who’ve completed a related qualification – for example, a T Level or Skills Bootcamp. This is because they’re likely to already have some knowledge and skills relevant to their apprenticeship that can be recognised as prior learning.
Apprenticeships that work for you
If you’re interested in finding out more about how apprenticeships can be flexibly delivered, the first step is to speak to your training provider. They’ll be able to support you with setting up or adapting a programme in a way that works for you.
You can also discuss how training is delivered with your apprentice, as part of the initial assessment process at the beginning of their apprenticeship.