Helping Apprentices Protect Time for Learning
An apprenticeship combines employment with structured learning and development.
For that model to work effectively, apprentices need sufficient time during their working hours to participate in learning, consolidate knowledge and complete the activities required by their programme.
Feedback from both learners and employers has highlighted protected learning time as an important issue.
You said:
Learners told us that finding protected time for apprenticeship learning can sometimes be difficult.
This has also emerged as a recurring theme through Employer Voice.
We listened:
We are working more closely with employers to reinforce the importance of apprentices having appropriate time during their working hours to engage with their programme.
This is not simply about completing tasks.
Protected learning time gives apprentices the opportunity to attend workshops and seminars, develop new knowledge and skills, complete planned learning and apply what they have learned in the workplace.
We are also making programme schedules more consistent wherever possible so that employers and learners can plan apprenticeship activity more effectively.
Identifying concerns earlier
Where protected learning time becomes difficult, the effect can often be seen elsewhere, including attendance, engagement and overall progress.
We are therefore monitoring these areas more closely so that emerging concerns can be identified and discussed sooner.
If an apprentice is finding it difficult to secure the time they need for their learning, we encourage both the learner and employer to raise this with us as early as possible.
The earlier we understand the issue, the sooner we can work together to find an appropriate solution.
Successful apprenticeships depend on a genuine partnership between the learner, employer and training provider.
Protecting time for learning is an important part of that partnership and an essential part of helping apprentices make sustained progress.