Work-based learning

Tutors

During a degree apprenticeship, each apprentice is allocated an academic tutor, appointed by the University, and a workplace mentor, allocated by the employer. These roles support the progress and achievement of the apprentice and support identification of appropriate workplace activity to facilitate work-integrated learning opportunities.

Apprentices are also allocated a work-based learning tutor (WBLT). The WBLT will work closely with the academic team to monitor engagement, off the job learning, and the development of the apprentice's Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour (KSBs) from the apprenticeship standard. The WBLT will meet with the apprentice, the apprentice's line manager and/or the apprentice's workplace mentor at quarterly intervals in tripartite meetings to discuss progress.

Training Plan

A Training Plan is a key piece of apprenticeship documentation and produced for each apprentice at the admissions stage. It is signed by the WBLT, the apprentice, and the employer, setting out how they will support the successful achievement of the apprenticeship. The Plan sets out the apprenticeship programme being followed and details of the end point assessment (EPA). It also clearly sets out the roles and responsibilities which each of the 3parties will agree to.

Admissions, recruitment and selection of students

The processes for recruitment and entry for apprenticeships differ from standard student recruitment and admission procedures. 

An Initial Needs Assessment (INA) is completed by each applicant and reviewed by an academic member of staff. This is to ensure that the applicant is at the appropriate starting point for the programme, for 2 reasons:

• The DfE will not fund repeat learning and all apprenticeships should offer new learning to the apprentice.
• INAs form a key means of measuring progress and inform the individual learning plan.

All offers of a place on an apprenticeship are conditional subject to receipt of a completed INA, a signed Apprenticeship Agreement and a signed Training Plan.

Off the job learning

Degree apprenticeships must include Off the Job (OTJ) learning, which may take the form of traditional face to face or online learning, but can also include independent learning and activities in the workplace. This is measured over the course of an apprenticeship, takes place during the apprentice's paid hours and must not be delivered as part of their normal working duties. This learning must teach new KSBs required by the Apprenticeship Standard. 

The remaining learning takes place on the job and is undertaken in the workplace. The University is responsible for ensuring that the apprentice's workplace provides an appropriate source of learning and that the OTJ is logged by the apprentice and held on file by the University. 

Additional information about the requirements of OTJ learning can be found on Department for Education website.

Employer engagement

Employers should be involved in the design and development of degree apprenticeships and through employer engagement workshops prior to programme approval. This will allow employer involvement in the design, delivery and assessment model of the degree apprenticeship set against the Apprenticeship Standard and the EPA. 

As these are developmental workshops, employer input on curriculum mapping, draft delivery and assessment models provides an excellent opportunity for feedback and engagement.

Employers consulted should be representatives of the occupation to which the degree apprenticeship standard relates. These do not necessarily have to be the specific employers with which the University will deliver the degree apprenticeship.