One of the key elements of an apprenticeship requires employers to give all apprentices at least 20% of their total working hours for “off-the-job” learning. This is defined as “learning which is undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of an apprenticeship. This can include training that is delivered at the apprentice’s normal place of work but must not be delivered as part of their “normal working duties.”
This can include the following:
· The teaching of theory (for example, skills development sessions, masterclasses, role playing, simulation exercises, online learning, manufacturer training).
· Practical training
· Time spent writing assessments and assignments
· Learning support
· Shadowing and mentoring
· Industry visits and attendance at exhibitions
· Online blended learning
Off-the-job training does not include:
· English and maths (up to level 2)
· Progress reviews or on-programme assessment required for an apprenticeship standard (i.e. skills coach meetings)
· Training which takes place outside the apprentice’s paid working hours
Doing the Maths – How to Calculate The 20%
When calculating the 20% off-the-job, we take the following approach:
· Work out the total working hours for the apprentice. (This should exclude annual leave entitlement and bank holidays.)
· Calculate 20% of the total working hours across the planned duration of the programme:
Each of our programmes have a different number of face-to-face training days. We subtract these from the total to give a suggested number of hours of workplace off-the-job study each week.
The remainder will be completed in the workplace, but away from immediate pressures of the day job.
Learn more about the funding available here: