What does your employer need in place for you to start an Apprenticeship?
To ensure a successful apprenticeship, your employer must provide an employment contract, enough meaningful work, and support for your training needs.
Starting an apprenticeship is exciting, but it’s important to know what your employer should have in place before you begin. These requirements are designed to ensure you get a high-quality learning experience, with the right support from day one.
Contract for the Full Apprenticeship Duration
Your employer must give you an employment contract that covers the full length of your apprenticeship—long enough for you to complete your qualification and end point assessment. This protects your rights and ensures job security while you learn.
Appropriate and Sufficient Work
You’ll need work that’s relevant to your apprenticeship standard. Employers must offer a variety of tasks and enough work to keep you engaged and learning throughout your training—not just repetitive or routine duties. The job role also needs to provide you will the opportunity to learn and develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the end point assessment.
Support for Apprentices Who Don’t Drive
If you don’t have a driving licence, your employer should still make sure you can get to all necessary sites, training locations, or off-the-job activities, whether through public transport options, lift-sharing, or local placements.
Supervision and Training
A suitable workplace mentor or supervisor must be assigned to guide you, answer questions, set goals, and regularly review your progress. You should always feel supported and able to ask for help when needed.
Safeguarding and Wellbeing
Employers must provide a safe and supportive working environment, including safeguarding measures, respect for equality and diversity, and procedures to address any concerns or issues.
Time for Off-the-Job Training
By law, at least 20% of an apprentice’s normal working hours must be set aside for off-the-job training. Your employer should accommodate college days, workshops, and structured learning as part of your paid time.
Clear Progression and Feedback
You should have regular reviews to discuss your progress and set future targets, involving your employer and your training provider.