Apprenticeship - Employer Induction by Access Training

Reporting H&S Incidents and Accidents

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It is important to remember to report any Health and Safety incidents or accidents relating to your apprentice to Access Training.

This includes "near misses" where the apprentice could have been injured.

You can inform Access Training through your Trainer Assessor and through the Learner Progress Review.

Whilst the apprentice is employed by you (the employer) and are bound by your organisation's rules, Access Training maintain a responsibility for their Health and Safety as long as they remain on the apprenticeship.

Access Training Website

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Introduction

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Employer engagement is an essential part of any successful apprenticeship. Where apprentices are the most successful, there is always a supportive employer.

This Padlet contains useful information about what is expected from you (the employer), and how you can fully engage with the apprenticeship and support your apprentice.

It covers:

The Employer Agreement
The Trainer Assessor
Training and Assessment
Curriculum
Employer Progress Reviews
Learner Progress Reviews
Learner Scorecard
Off-the-Job Training
The Gateway Meeting
End Point Assessment (EPA)
Maths and English
Signatures and Signable
The Apprenticeship Service
Health and Safety
Radicalisation and Extemism
Fundamental British Values
Safeguarding
Citizenship Calendar
Complaints Procedure
How did we do?
Additional Information

Any videos used have been produced by third parties and are for reference only.

How to a Make a Complaint

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Sometimes things don't go to plan and you might be unhappy with your experience.

If this happens we would always recommend speaking to your Trainer Assessor first of all. They might be able to resolve your concern immediately.

If you are still unhappy, and wish to make a formal complaint, then the procedure for doing so is attached.

Citizenship Calendar 2024/25

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What is the Citizenship Calendar?

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Each month there is a new topic to make apprentices aware of. These are not linked to the apprenticeship standard or qualification but contain information which is useful for apprentices in general.
This forms part of the wider curriculum that Access Training provide.
Each subject will be brought up by the Trainer Assessor and recorded through the learner progress reviews.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSB)

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The basis of all apprenticeship standards are the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours that are needed to be competent in your chosen occupation.

Knowledge
The Standard will define the knowledge and understanding that the apprentice will need to acquire and apply, in order to carry out their role effectively and become occupationally competent.

Skills
The Standard will define the range of skills and competencies that the apprentice will need to practice and acquire in order to do their job to a specified standard. These skills are largely acquired and practised in the workplace.

Behaviours
The Standard will define the behaviours that the apprentice will need to demonstrate in order to become occupationally competent. This may include behaviours such as good attendance and punctuality, good communication, problem solving or customer service skills etc.

Each apprenticeship standard will list in detail what is required.

Assessment of the Apprentice

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Before deciding on assessment methods, the Trainer Assessor should first refer to the initial assessment and Skills Analysis documents completed by the apprentice before they started their learning programme and take account of their prior learning.

Access Training will carry out its assessment process using a variety of methods including:

• Observation - watching the apprentice perform in the workplace
• Evidence provided by other people
• Professional discussion
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - taking account of past experience
• Questioning - asking the apprentice questions
• Projects and tasks (including e-learning)
• Assessing work produced through workplace performance
• Completion of assignments

This is not an exhaustive list; however, it does include the main methods.

The Trainer Assessor (TA)

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Your apprentice will be allocated a Trainer / Assessor for the duration of their apprenticeship. This is the person who will communicate directly with both you (the employer) and the apprentice. They will see you and your apprentice face to face in the workplace or meet online dependent on the individual needs.

In all cases they will be an experienced occupational expert in the subject of the chosen apprenticeship.

The primary role of the Trainer / Assessor to train and assess the performance and related knowledge of the apprentice in a range of tasks, and to ensure that the apprentice is competent against the chosen apprenticeship standard.

Sometimes it is necessary to change Trainer Assessor during an apprenticeship. This will only be done where absolutely necessary so that any impact on the employer and apprentice is minimised.

Example Learner Progress Review Form

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What do Progress Reviews Cover?

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Learner Progress Reviews should include discussion on, and a record of:

• progress to date, measured against the Learner Scorecard
• the current percentages for actual and planned achievement.

• the current number of Off-the-Job (OTJ) hours which have been recorded and how many should have been recorded.

• the apprentice's personal development.

• any additional support needs and the support the apprentice is being given for these.

• Feedback and targets that stretch the apprentice, in order to ensure, where appropriate, they are being prepared for higher level learning.

• any H&S problems or issues / H&S learning

• any Equality of Opportunity problems or issues / E&D learning

• Safeguarding (including PREVENT)

• Citizenship Calendar topic

• what has been achieved since since the last review

• SMART targets set to be achieved by the next planned assessment date.

• the progress made against the SMART targets set at the previous assessment appointment.

• comments from the apprentice about the progress they are making.

• Their confidence and motivation.

• Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) about their career path and how the qualification is helping them.

• final IAG within the last 2 or 3 progress reviews to prepare them for their next steps.

Learner Progress Reviews

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The apprentice's progress should be reviewed regularly to ensure that sufficient progress is being made towards their learning goals and that everyone is able to identify any help / support that might be needed.

Learner Progress Reviews should:
• be conducted at every assessment – whether that be a face to face or remote appointment.
• Take place either in the apprentice’s place of work or remotely by prior appointment in line with assessment appointments
• involve the apprentice, employer, Trainer Assessor and any other Access Training employee who has input into the learning process of the learner.

What is Off-the-Job Training (OTJ)?

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It is training which is received by an apprentice whilst on their apprenticeship.

The apprentice is expected to complete a set amount of Off-the-Job hours. These hours need to be recorded in detail in the Learning Log which forms a key part of the Learner Scorecard.

A detailed guide has been produced to help explain this subject and help you and the apprentice to accurately record their your hours.

Example Learner Scorecard - Customer Service

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What is the Learner Scorecard?

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The Learner Scorecard is the document where all of the progress on the apprenticeship is monitored and recorded. The apprentice will have completed a Skills Analysis / Initial Assessment using the Learner Scorecard at the recruitment stage. This will have been signed off / agreed by you or someone in your organsation.

The Learner Scorecard is usually completed by the Trainer Assessor.

Your Learner Scorecard contains the following:

Initial Assessment
Skills Analysis - What the apprentice already knew
Training Plan - Agreement
Programme Plan - What needs to be delivered
Sequencing Plan - When it will be delivered
Learning Log - Where Off-the-Job hours are recorded
Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour Reviews
Contact Diary - Where all interactions are recorded.
Validation - To be signed at the start / on completion

An example Learner Scorecard is below.

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On completion of your apprentice's learning programme you can complete an end of course evaluation to let us know about your experience and what Access Training could do to improve.

We really value any feedback we receive.

EPA on tquk.org

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EPA on apprenticeships.gov.uk

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What Grade can you get?

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Dependent on how each component of the EPA is scored by the EPAO, the apprentice will be awarded with one of the following grades:

Pass
Merit*
Distinction

Each component will receive a separate grade which are then combined into your overall grade.

*Not all apprenticeships have a Merit grade so only a Pass or Distinction can be awarded.

How is EPA Completed?

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Each apprenticeship standard includes an end-point assessment plan which describes how the apprentice should be tested against the appropriate criteria, using suitable methods.

For example, the apprentice may need to complete:

a practical assessment
an interview
a project
written and/or multiple choice tests
a presentation

Not all are required for every apprenticeship. The apprentice will be able to find details of their own EPA from their Trainer Assessor or on the Leaner Scorecard.

End Point Assessment should be led by the apprentice, but normally requires all parties involved to work together to make sure it is planned effectively.

What is End Point Assessment (EPA)?

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End-point assessment (EPA) is the final stage of an apprenticeship. It is an impartial assessment of whether your apprentice has developed the skills, knowledge and behaviours outlined in the apprenticeship standard.

EPA will not be booked until it is agreed by you, your apprentice and Access Training that you are ready. This stage would be called the "Gateway".

The End Point Assessment is not completed by Access Training. It is completed by the End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) which is usually the awarding organisation for the chosen apprenticeship.

Who will help my apprentice with Maths and English?

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Your apprentice will either have support from their Trainer Assessor or one of Access Training's dedicated team of specialist Maths and English tutors.

The English, Maths and ICT (EMI) Team at Access Training also provide additional classes and for those learners who want or need to attend them. These are usually held at our Nottingham Centre.

What are Functional Skills?

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English and Maths Functional Skills are practical, literacy and numeracy qualifications, relevant to both young people and adult learners.
They can help you to develop and apply important skills such as communication, analytical and presentational skills. Functional Skills are assessed by completion of an examination.

The attached webpage is produced by BKSB.

Do apprentices need to do Maths and English?

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English and maths form a significant part of an apprenticeship, so yes, it is likely that your apprentice will need to do maths and English as part of their apprenticeship.

The achievement of English and maths is no longer required to be able to complete the Gateway stage of the apprenticeship for apprentices aged 19 years old and older, but as an employer you may prefer your apprentices to complete English and maths. In some cases and vocational areas the achievement of English and maths is required to be considered as fully qualified.

They may however be exempt from Maths and English if they have previously achieved them at a high enough level.

The level of Maths and English required for each apprenticeship standard is set and can differ for each apprenticeship and the level of each apprenticeship.

Your apprentice will have taken a diagnostic test at the recruitment stage which will accurately determine their current level of English and Maths skills.

They may also be required to attend additional classes depending on the level required for the apprenticeship standard.

Employer Agreement (Small / SME)

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Employer Agreement (Large / Levy)

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The Employer Agreement

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When the apprentice was first signed up on their apprenticeship programme, you (or someone at your employer) will have completed an Employer Agreement.
This is a key document which explains everything that Access Training, The apprentice and you (the employer) are responsible for.
Examples of the Employer Agreements are below.

The size of your organisation will determine which type of agreement was signed.

Example Employer Progress Review Form

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Employer Progress Reviews

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As mentioned at the start of this resource, employer engagement is an essential part of any successful apprenticeship. Where apprentices are the most successful, there is always a supportive employer.

To help with employer engagement, Access Training have put in place a formal employer review process. This is to ensure that you (the employer) have regular access to the progress of the learner and are able to have sufficient influence in the planning of the apprenticeship.

Ideally these reviews would be planned every 3 months from the start date of the apprenticeship. So you could expect to take part in approx. 5 of these reviews for an apprentice on an 18 month apprenticeship.

If you take part fully in the employer review process you will gain all of the information below:

How have you been involved in the planning of the apprenticeship?
Skills Analysis review
Training Log hours review
End Point Assessment (EPA) readiness
Any update to Programme Plan or Statement of Commitment
Overall summary of the progress made

Learner Progress Reviews should:
• be conducted at quarterly or approximately every 3 months. This frequency might need to increase if there are issues with the apprentice.
• Take place either in the workplace or remotely by prior appointment.
• involve the employer and Trainer Assessor and where necessary any other Access Training employee who has input into the learning process of the learner.

What do you need to do?

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You must allow your apprentice sufficient time to complete their Off-the-Job Training (OTJ). This is a mandatory requirement for an apprenticeship and failure to meet the correct number of OTJ hours will lead to the apprentice being ineligible.

These OTJ hours MUST be completed within the normal working hours of the apprentice to be eligible as OTJ hours.
Hours completed in the apprentices own time should be considered ineligible as OTJ hours.

Important

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Some of the sections are marked with an "Important" stamp. These sections highlight where you (the employer) are required to take specific action and where employer engagement in the apprenticeship is most crucial.

Employer End of Course Evaluation 2024/25

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IfATE - Induction Guidance

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What is the Gateway Meeting?

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Gateway is the period of time between an apprentice completing their training (called the Practical Period) and starting their End Point Assessment (EPA).

To enter Gateway, the apprentice must have completed and achieved the minimum requirements necessary to undertake the EPA. These requirements are set out in the apprenticeship assessment plan. They need to have acquired all of the necessary competencies for their job role.

Most importantly, it needs to be agreed by the employer, apprentice and Access Training that the apprentice is ready.
If all parties are in agreement, then the apprentice can be entered for their End Point Assessment.

Only if the apprentice is ready for their EPA, will they have the best possible chance of achieving their apprenticeship and getting the best possible grade.

This is also important to keep the apprenticeship cost effective, as any resits for any component of the EPA will need to be charged separately and are not included in the funding claimed.

Using Signable

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Throughout the apprenticeship programme it will be required for documentation and evidence to be validated. This validation is usually in the form of a signature from the apprentice and employer.

Access Training uses Signable as the main tool to gather learner and employer signatures. This is because most documentation is electronic and sent via email.

You will be sent links through Signable to gather your signature at multiple points throughout and apprenticeship.

It is essential that you respond to these requests and sign any documentation required in a timely manner.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this.

Using the Apprenticeship Service

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What is the Apprenticeship Service

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Creating an Account

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The Apprenticeship Service

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All apprenticeships are arranged through the apprenticeship service. To use the apprenticeship service you will need to create an account if you haven't already done so.

Curriculum

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A curriculum is a plan which contains everything the apprentice is expected to learn about whilst on their apprenticeship with Access Training.
Not everything in the curriculum will apply to each learner, as they may already have had prior learning or experience in some of the topics.
Examples for some vocational areas are included below.

Adult Care Apprenticeships

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Business Skills Apprenticeships

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Childcare Apprenticeships

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Construction Apprenticeships

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Housing Apprenticeships

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Safeguarding against Extremism and Radicalisation

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Access Training does not tolerate extremist views of any kind.
Any prejudice, discrimination or extremist views, including derogatory language, displayed by learners, staff or partner organisations will always be challenged and where appropriate dealt with in line with this policy.
As part of wider safeguarding responsibilities Access Training staff will be alert to:
• Disclosures by learners of their exposure to the extremist actions, views or materials of others. Learners voicing opinions drawn from extremist ideologies and narratives
• Attempts to impose extremist views or practices on others
• Learners accessing extremist material online, including through social networking sites
• Disclosures from partner agencies and employers of a learner’s exposure to the extremist actions, views or materials of others.
Access Training will closely follow any locally agreed procedure as set out by the Local Authority and/or agreed processes and criteria for safeguarding learners who are vulnerable to extremism and radicalisation.

What is PREVENT?

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Prevent is short for ‘Preventing Violent Extremism’.
The overall aim of Prevent is to stop people supporting violent extremism by raising awareness of the issues and supporting people who may be vulnerable.
The Government launched the new Prevent strategy in June 2011.
“…at the root of this Prevent strategy is the basic assertion that extremism breeds terrorism; and that extremism is the vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs”.

What is Extremism?

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Access Training recognises the accepted governmental definition of extremism as:
‘Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs; and/or calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas’.
One definition of an extremist is;
“A person who advocates or resorts to measures beyond the normal, especially in politics”.

What is Radicalisation?

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The UK Home Office defines radicalisation as;
“The process by which people come to support terrorism and violent extremism and, in some cases, then join terrorist groups.”
No single measure will reduce radicalisation in the UK and that the only way to combat it is by targeting the at risk vulnerable groups and trying to assimilate them into society.

Who to contact at Access Training?

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If you have any concerns about you or someone else relating to Radicalisation or Extremism please contact Access Training as soon as possible.
You can contact;
Your Trainer Assessor or Becky Dutton on 01159587257

What is Signable?

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Signable User Guide

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Safeguarding at Access Training

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Click above to access the learner guide to Safeguarding at Access Training.

Link to Apprentice guidance on Off-the-job Training (OTJ)

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Supporting Your Apprentice

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Link to the apprenticeships.gov.uk website. Information provided about how to best support apprentices, including induction and mentoring.

Mentoring and Supervision Padlet

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Fundamental British Values at Access Training

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Click above to access the learner guide to Fundamental British Values at Access Training.