7. Understanding the 20% ‘Off-the-job’ training

Every Apprenticeship Standard requires and apprentice to complete ‘of-the-job’ training. The title ‘off-the-job’ (OTJ) is misleading as all these hours must be complete within the apprentice’s working hours. OTJ is any time when the apprentice is learning new skills, knowledge or behaviours related to the apprenticeship standard. OTJ in terms of the total minimum off-the-job hours will be calculated at 6 hours per week over the term of the apprenticeship minus holiday. Therefore, by way of example for a 3 year apprenticeship. 52 weeks per year x 3 = 156 weeks. 28 days holiday = 5.6 weeks per year, 16.8 weeks over 3 years. 156 - 16.8 = 139.2 eligible weeks per year. 6 hours x 139.2 weeks = 835.2 hours OTJ minimum requirement.

OTJ hours can be made up of time spent on release to us at The Engineering Skills Academy or any learning received in-company provided it is not productive for the employer and is related to the apprenticeship e.g. training, shadowing, mentoring, simulation, assignment writing etc.

8. The finish line - End Point Assessment

Every Apprenticeship finishes with the apprentice completing an End Point Assessment (EPA). Conducted by a third-party EPA Organisation (unrelated to the Training Provider), this can consist of a project, multiple choice test, workplace observations or a professional discussion supported by the apprentice’s portfolio. Together, we (you the employer and us the training provider) must decide at what point each apprentice is ready to progress through their Final Gateway and be put forward for their EPA. This is the point at which they have achieved any required qualifications and we are satisfied that they are competent against the knoweldge, skills and behaviours set out in the Apprenticeship Standard. The EPA will take place within (roughly) 2-3 months of the Final Gateway.