Because you never stop learning
Apprenticeship standards are developed with employers and industry experts to define the knowledge, skills and behaviours an apprentice needs to become occupationally competent in their chosen occupation.
An apprenticeship combines employment with structured training and workplace experience. Throughout the apprenticeship, the apprentice develops the skills and knowledge required by their apprenticeship standard and works towards achieving occupational competence.
Where required by the relevant apprenticeship standard, the apprentice will complete an end-point assessment (EPA) to demonstrate that they have achieved the required level of competence.
The duration and training requirements of an apprenticeship depend on the relevant apprenticeship standard and the individual apprentice's circumstances.
Supporting Your Apprentice's Development
Off-the-job training is an important part of every apprenticeship. It provides apprentices with protected time to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by their apprenticeship standard.
As an employer, you play a key role in ensuring your apprentice has sufficient time and opportunity to complete their required training.
Yorkshire Training Partnership will work with you and your apprentice to plan the training programme and ensure the required training is included within the apprentice's training plan.
What Is Off-the-Job Training?
Off-the-job training is structured learning undertaken during the apprentice's normal working hours that is separate from their normal day-to-day duties.
The training must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship and contribute towards the apprentice developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to achieve occupational competence.
Off-the-job training can take place in a range of settings, including with Yorkshire Training Partnership, in the workplace or through online and blended learning.
How Much Training Is Required?
The amount of off-the-job training required is determined in accordance with the current apprenticeship funding rules, the relevant apprenticeship standard and the apprentice's individual circumstances.
The required training commitment will be calculated and agreed at the beginning of the apprenticeship and recorded in the apprentice's training plan.
Training can be organised flexibly throughout the apprenticeship to meet the needs of the apprentice, employer, and apprenticeship standard.
Employer Responsibilities
As an employer, you are responsible for supporting your apprentice throughout their apprenticeship.
You should:
Provide protected training time
Ensure your apprentice has sufficient paid working time to complete their required apprenticeship training.
Support attendance
Allow your apprentice to attend scheduled training sessions, reviews, assessments and other required learning activities.
Provide workplace opportunities
Give your apprentice opportunities to apply their learning and develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours required by their apprenticeship standard.
Work with the training provider
Work closely with Yorkshire Training Partnership to monitor progress and identify any additional training or support your apprentice may need.
Take part in progress reviews
Participate in regular progress reviews with the apprentice and Yorkshire Training Partnership.
Support the training plan
Work with us to ensure the apprentice's training plan accurately reflects their programme, progress and development.
Why Is Off-the-Job Training Important?
Off-the-job training gives apprentices dedicated time to develop the knowledge and skills they need to become occupationally competent.
High-quality training can help your apprentice to:
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Develop technical and professional skills
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Understand the theory behind their occupation
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Apply learning in the workplace
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Build confidence and independence
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Prepare for their end-point assessment
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Progress successfully through their apprenticeship
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Develop a long-term career
For employers, apprenticeships provide an opportunity to develop skilled employees and build a workforce with the knowledge and skills your organisation needs.
How Yorkshire Training Partnership Can Help
We work closely with employers throughout the apprenticeship to ensure apprentices receive the training and support they need.
We can help you:
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Understand the apprenticeship standard
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Plan your apprentice's training
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Understand off-the-job training requirements
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Identify suitable workplace learning opportunities
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Monitor apprentice progress
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Participate in progress reviews
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Prepare your apprentice for assessment
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Identify additional support requirements
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Understand your responsibilities as an employer
Need help planning off-the-job training for your apprentice?
👉 Contact us today on 01709 871872— we’ll guide you through every step.
What Counts as Off-the-Job Training?
Off-the-job training must provide learning that contributes towards the apprentice's development.
Depending on the apprenticeship, activities may include:
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Classroom-based training
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Tutor-led sessions
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Workshops and practical sessions
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Online or blended learning
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Structured workplace projects
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Practical training away from normal day-to-day duties
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Job shadowing where it develops the requirements of the apprenticeship
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Coaching and mentoring
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Assignments and structured learning activities
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Preparation for assessments
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Revision and other planned learning activities
The activity must contribute to the apprentice's progress towards occupational competence.
What Does Not Normally Count?
Normal productive work does not automatically count as off-the-job training.
Activities that would not normally qualify include:
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Carrying out routine day-to-day duties
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Normal productive work
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Meeting workplace targets
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Repeating tasks the apprentice is already competent to perform
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General workplace induction
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Training that is unrelated to the apprenticeship
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Mandatory training required solely by the employer and not related to the apprenticeship
If you are unsure whether an activity can count towards your apprentice's training, please speak to your Yorkshire Training Partnership tutor or apprenticeship adviser.
Why It Matters
Investing in high-quality off-the-job training:
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Increases apprentice success rates
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Builds stronger, more capable employees
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Ensures compliance with ESFA and Ofsted requirements
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Maximises the return on your apprenticeship levy or government funding
Your Apprentice's Training Plan
At the beginning of the apprenticeship, Yorkshire Training Partnership will work with you and your apprentice to establish an individual training plan.
This will set out the training and development required to achieve the apprenticeship standard.
The plan may include:
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The apprenticeship standard
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Planned training activities
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Off-the-job training requirements
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Workplace learning opportunities
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English and maths requirements, where applicable
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Progress milestones
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Review arrangements
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End-point assessment requirements
The training plan should be reviewed throughout the apprenticeship and updated where necessary.
End-Point Assessment
Where an apprenticeship standard requires an end-point assessment, the apprentice will need to demonstrate that they have achieved the required knowledge, skills and behaviours.
The assessment is completed in accordance with the requirements of the relevant apprenticeship standard and assessment plan.
Assessment methods vary depending on the occupation and may include:
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Practical demonstrations
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Professional discussions
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Interviews
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Written assessments
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Presentations
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Projects
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Portfolios
Yorkshire Training Partnership will support your apprentice throughout their programme and help them prepare for their assessment.
Need Help Planning Your Apprentice's Training?
If you are unsure about off-the-job training or how to plan your apprentice's learning time, our team can help.
Call Yorkshire Training Partnership on 01709 871872
Important Information
Apprenticeship funding, training, and assessment requirements are governed by the current Government apprenticeship funding rules and the relevant apprenticeship standard.
These requirements can change between funding years, so employers should always refer to the latest Government guidance.
The information on this page is intended as general employer guidance and does not replace the requirements of the relevant apprenticeship standard or current Government funding rules.
For further information, support or guidance contact the team:
Tel: 01709 871872