During an apprenticeship, the employer, line manager, teaching and learning coach, apprentice and training provider each has their own responsibilities.
What are the main responsibilities of the employer?
Apprentices receive the same benefits as other employees
Generally, apprentices should get the same benefits as other employees, unless employers can otherwise justify not providing such benefits. Failure to do so can lead to discrimination claims.
Workforce development
Employers should consider projects that apprentices can undertake on their behalf or, if appropriate, give apprentices exposure to tasks they would not normally have exposure to, resulting in a stretch and challenge of the apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours within their organisation.
On-the-job training
Learners must complete and track on-the-job training activities that equate to 20% of their contracted hours.
Paying the rights and rates
Apprentices must be paid at least the national minimum wage during their placement. Apprentices who are under 19, or who are over 19 and in the first year of their apprenticeship, must be paid at least the national minimum wage for apprentices.
Contract of employment
Employers should provide a contract of employment which sets out the employment rights, responsibilities and duties.
Apprentices must be aware of the organisational policies and will need to read and understand those policies that relate to health and safety, equality and diversity (including the promotion of British values), safeguarding and the Prevent duty.
30 hours per week
Employers must employ apprentices for minimum of 30 hours per week or extend the length of time the learner remains on programme in line with the hours worked.
Working in partnership
Employers are to work in partnership with Key Group to plan and monitor the progress of apprentices, by attending and engaging in schedule formal reviews throughout the learning journey.
What are the main responsibilities of the line manager?
Managing the apprentice
Line managers must make sure they make the business aware if there’s any risk that the apprentice will not complete their apprenticeship on time. For example, if there are issues with performance in role, or if there are critical changes to the role or business.
Agreeing an action plan
Line managers must use standard business policies and procedures in managing apprentices. The line manager should discuss and agree an action plan with the apprentice and teaching and learning coach to ensure ongoing progress, development and exposure to new skills.
Taking part in the induction
The line manager should be involved in the apprentice’s induction to the programme, working with Key Group to clearly set out the business expectations.
Feeding back to the apprentice
Line managers should regularly feed back to the apprentice on their performance in their job, to support their development and make sure they have the necessary skills and knowledge for their job role and apprenticeship.
Setting objectives
When setting objectives for the apprentice through the business’ usual review processes, it’s important that one of the apprentice’s objectives is linked to the successful completion of the apprenticeship and the development of the skills, behaviours and competencies they need to evidence.
The line manager needs to be aware of the apprentice’s progress throughout their apprenticeship.
Monitoring progress
The line manager will be given access to management information to show the learner’s progress and will work with Key Group in partnership to support the apprentice’s success.
Using an adaptive management approach
When setting objectives for the apprentice through the business’ usual review processes, it’s important that one of the apprentice’s objectives is linked to the successful completion of the apprenticeship and the development of the skills, behaviours and competencies they need to evidence.
It’s important that the line manager remains continually aware of the apprentice’s progress throughout their apprenticeship.
What are the main responsibilities of your teaching and learning coach?
Training Now will assign a teaching and learning coach to support and guide the apprentice and their line manager through the apprenticeship journey.
The teaching and learning coach will regularly visit and communicate with the apprentice to provide learning support, carry out assessments and observations and review the evidence gathered by the apprentice.
It’s the job of our teaching and learning coaches to make sure that the apprentice remains on track with their apprenticeship and completes it in the timescale they need.
Ensuring standards
Teaching and learning coaches must make sure the apprenticeship is achieved to the required standard and on time.
Providing materials needed
Teaching and learning coaches must provide all the required learning materials for the apprenticeship.
Providing support
Teaching and learning coaches should work in partnership with the employer to best support the learner to reach success, mapping out the Individual Learning Plan (ILP) to show teaching and learning and workplace mentoring activities on-the-job.
Raising any concerns
Teaching and learning coaches should let the employer know of any concerns or issues they have in relation to the apprenticeship. This also includes any safeguarding/prevent concerns.
Regular reviews
Teaching and learning coaches should carry out regular reviews with the apprentice and line manager, discussing the apprentice’s progress.
Ensuring personal learning plan goals
Teaching and learning coaches must endeavour to make sure that the employer provides the learner with the facilities, training and workplace opportunities necessary to achieve the outcomes as specified in the learner’s personal learning plan.
Organising induction
Teaching and learning coaches must provide a comprehensive induction for the apprentice and the line manager as part of the first visit. This will include an in-depth Information, advice and guidance session.
Organising meaningful learning activities
Teaching and learning coaches must agree and deliver a programme of training and learning sessions with the apprentice and regular meetings with the apprentice and their line manager.
Setting the course of study
Teaching and learning coaches must provide learning, support and guidance to the apprentices by setting the apprentice’s course of study and agreeing deadlines for completion.
What are the duties and responsibilities of the apprentice?
Attending scheduled formal reviews
Teaching and learning coaches must provide learning, support and guidance to the apprentices by setting the apprentice’s course of study and agreeing deadlines for completion.
Being self-sufficient
Apprentices must be responsible for their own learning and development and for ensuring that they are working to the best of their ability at all times.
Being responsible
Apprentices must be diligent and punctual, They must also behave in a responsible manner in accordance with the requirements of health and safety, safeguarding, Prevent and quality and diversity legislation relating to the apprentice’s responsibilities as an individual.
Attending regular teaching and learning / review activities
The teaching and learning/review activities are determined at the start of the programme between the employer, apprentice and Training Now at the start and formulate the initial Individual Learning Plan (ILP).
Allowing access and sharing learning
Apprentices must allow the provider to access and share their learning records (LRs) for the purposes of administering the specified apprenticeship.
Thinking about the business with ‘Respect to Business’
During the programme, apprentices should consider how they can best develop their skills to enhance their role and have an impact on the business.
Thinking about the employer
Apprentices should promote the employer’s best interests at all times.
What are the main responsibilities of the training provider?
As a registered provider Training Now must make sure that we:
- are eligible to receive government funding to train apprentices
- are accountable for the appropriate use of government funds
- deliver high quality apprenticeship training
- deliver training that complies with apprenticeship funding rules
- are responsible for the safeguarding of apprentices
In order to receive government funding Training Now has entered into the ESFA apprenticeship agreement for training providers for the provision of levy-funded apprenticeship training.
As an employer provider we have also entered into the ESFA apprenticeship agreement for employers.
Having these agreements in place means that Training Now is on the RoATP (Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers).