What is 20% off-the-job training?

Off-the-job training is defined as any activity that is not part of an apprentice’s day-to-day role which supports their apprenticeship training.

Off-the-job training must make up at least 20% of an apprentice’s normal working hours. This is a requirement for all apprenticeships and gives the apprentice dedicated time to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours required by the programme.

Most off-the-job training occurs naturally from the programme and does not need to be completed off site or in large blocks of time. Lifetime helps employers, managers and learners understand and identify the activities that count towards off-the-job training.

Lifetime Training will help managers and employers to identify relevant activities, putting together a thorough plan to ensure requirements are met. Lifetime will also provide clear guidance and support for line managers to outline their responsibilities.

Off-the-job training must:

• Be relevant to the apprenticeship programme.
• Be separate to the normal day-to-day job role and working environment.
• Focus on developing new knowledge, skills, and behaviours.
• Take place during normal paid working hours.

The training can consist of a huge range of varied activities which will help develop the apprentice as an employee. Skills checklists for apprenticeship standards are useful when identifying the different opportunities for off-the-job training.

Apprentices may:

• Visit another branch to understand different processes.
• Shadow a colleague and discuss observations with their manager.
• Attend training on new company procedures, services, or systems.
• Complete in-house training about the supply chain or produce.
• Attend internal training on company values and vision.
• Learn about software such as Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Write up any assignments which form part of the apprenticeship.

Off-the-job training is an important aspect of apprenticeship training, as it gives the learner time to properly develop skills and knowledge from the programme. At the same time, it can develop a deeper understanding of the wider business, giving a learner insight into the supply chain or different departments.

Off-the-job training allows the learner to take full advantage of the programme, improving the return on investment in training costs for the employer. A developed and upskilled apprentice will lead to an increase in productivity, a clear benefit to the business.

Find out more about the business benefits of apprenticeships.