Understanding off the job training

As part of your commitment to an apprenticeship, we will provide a training plan which must be in place from the beginning of the apprenticeship, setting out the training an apprentice will receive, and which elements count towards off-the-job training.  

Apprentices can be new or current employees already working for you if they retrain for a new role. Each apprenticeship is based on the duration of the apprentice working a minimum of 30 paid hours a week or more. This includes any off-the-job training they do as part of the funding requirements.

Whether it is practical, theoretical or a written assignment, off-the-job training is hugely valuable for both you and your apprentice. Here’s what to expect: 

What can count as off the job training?

• Workshops 

• Role playing and simulation exercises  

• Online learning  

• Practical training such as shadowing and mentoring  

• Time spent on writing assignments and projects 

• Job related projects 

• Meetings 

• Placements 

• Performing new elements of a job role 

All training to take place within normal working hours 

All off-the-job training must take place within the apprentice’s normal working hours (excluding overtime) and should be a minimum of 6 hours of off-the-job training per week. If planned off–the-job training does not take place, it must be rearranged during the apprenticeship. Apprentices may choose to spend additional time training outside paid hours, but this must not be required for them to complete the apprenticeship.  

Training can be delivered flexibly to suit your organisation

An apprentice must spend at least 20% of their time completing off-the-job training. We’ll work with you to support when, where and how it’s achieved and can be delivered in flexible ways, including through blocks of study or regular weekly sessions.

Challenges to consider

Balancing off-the-job training with work responsibilities can be a challenge for both employers and apprentices. Employers must plan for the apprentice’s time away from work to complete their off-the-job training. This does need to be closely aligned with the apprentice’s on-the-job learning to ensure that the time spent is valuable and applicable to their role.

For more information, please contact our Apprenticeship Team: apprenticeships@totton.ac.uk or 0300 123 3385