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Roles – Who’s Who?

When you become an apprentice it’s useful to understand who everybody involved is and what they do to help you achieve your apprenticeship.

The most important relationship in any apprenticeship is between you (the apprentice), your employer and your training provider.

• Apprentice – this is the person who is doing the apprenticeship (you). You will be employed and will have an apprenticeship agreement with your employer. In your job you will work alongside experienced staff and gain job-specific skills. You will earn a wage, get holiday pay and time off for study so that you can complete your apprenticeship.
• Employer – this is the organisation that employs you. They will have an apprenticeship agreement with you and will pay you at least the apprenticeship national minimum wage for the job that you do. They should work closely with your training provider for the duration of your apprenticeship.
• Training Provider – this is the organisation appointed by your employer to deliver the training and on-programme assessment part of your apprenticeship. They will  work closely with you and your employer to support you throughout your programme.

With some apprenticeships, the employer and the training provider can be the same organisation, and this is called an employer-provider.

Another important organisation involved in your apprenticeship programme will be your end-point assessment organisation. This is an independent organisation that will carry out a final assessment once all of your training has been delivered.  You can find more information on end-point assessment (EPA) here

Depending on the type of apprenticeship you are doing you may be working with a flexi-job apprenticeship agency (FJAA). A flexi-job apprenticeship agency is an organisation that recruits and employs apprentices arranging placements for the apprentice with host employers. They are often linked to sectors or professions where the type of employment can make it difficult to offer a full apprenticeship (e.g. shorter duration contracts). They will work closely with your training provider throughout your apprenticeship programme.

Paperwork

At the start of your apprenticeship, you should have had an initial assessment. This is where the training provider will have asked you about things like your previous qualifications and experience.  This is done so a training programme can be designed for you that is at the right level and doesn’t duplicate things that you already know or can already do.

After your initial assessment you should have had two key documents discussed and agreed with you: your apprenticeship agreement and your training plan.

Apprenticeship Agreement – this must be signed at the start of your apprenticeship as legally, this is what makes you an apprentice. You and your employer must keep a current signed and dated version of this agreement.

 Training Plan – this should set out all the training that is required to achieve your apprenticeship. It must be signed by you, your employer and your training provider, and a current signed and dated version should be kept by all three parties.

Responsibilities

What is the responsibility of your training provider?

Your training provider is responsible for:

• Carrying out your initial assessment and checking that you are eligible for the apprenticeship programme.
• Developing a training plan for you and agreeing this with  you and your employer. This should take account of any prior learning and experience that you have. It should include all of the training needed for the apprenticeship, including any help with English and maths that you might need to meet the requirements for your apprenticeship.  It should also include information on any learning support needs that you have and any reasonable adjustments that will be put in place to help with these needs.
• Explaining to you and your employer how you will be assessed while you are on your apprenticeship. This includes explaining the role of the end-point assessment organisation.
• Explaining to your employer how the apprenticeship will be funded. You (the apprentice) must not be asked to financially contribute towards the apprenticeship (either during or after your programme has finished, even if you leave your current employer).
• Managing the quality and delivery of all your off-the-job training (the training on your training plan) and making sure that this is recorded throughout your apprenticeship. If any other organisation is involved in this delivery, your training provider will explain this to you and your employer. For more information on Off-the-job Training The-Job-Training
• Ensuring there are regular reviews of your progress against the training plan, to make sure you are on track.  These reviews should take place between you, your training provider and your employer at least every 12 weeks.
• Making sure that you and your employer know how to raise concerns or complaints about the apprenticeship training you receive.

 What is the responsibility of your employer?

Your employer is responsible for:

• Making sure you have a signed apprenticeship agreement at the start of your apprenticeship.
• Agreeing your training plan with your training provider and then supporting your training needs throughout your apprenticeship.
• Allowing you time off work to complete your off-the-job training and providing opportunities in the workplace to practice your new skills.
• Taking part in regular progress reviews with you and your training provider at least every 12 weeks.
• Working with you and your training provider to resolve any concerns or complaints. Your line manager will be able to support you to raise any concerns with your training provider. It should be possible to resolve most issues however if they cannot be resolved your line manager may need to work with you to make a formal complaint and follow the complaints process which will be published on the training provider’s website.

What is your responsibility as an apprentice?

You are responsible for:

• Taking part in the initial assessment discussion with your employer and training provider to agree what training you need and what support needs (if any) you may have.
• Reading and signing your apprenticeship agreement and keeping a copy. 
• Agreeing your training plan and making sure you have a current signed and dated copy to use in your progress reviews.
• Confirming your apprenticeship details are correct (you should receive an email inviting you to join The Apprenticeship Service to do this).
• Attending all required off-the-job training and workshops and notifying your training provider and employer in advance of any non-attendance.
• Committing to the learning activities required in each module, including any self-study and research. Also completing any coursework, assignments and exams required to achieve the apprenticeship. Where you are doing any self-study, you will need to keep a record of how many hours you spend on this and give this to your training provider.
• Complying with any policies and procedures as outlined in your training plan.
• Attending and contributing to your progress review meetings with your employer and training provider. These should take place at least every 12 weeks.
• Agreeing with your training provider and employer when all your learning is complete and when you are ready to undertake your end-point assessment.
• Bringing any issues about your training programme to the attention of your employer. This can include any additional support you might need, anything you don’t understand or are unsure of, or any concerns or complaints you have about your apprenticeship. Your line manager is there to support you to develop and progress. If you have any questions, concerns or issues with your training, your line manager should be someone you can discuss this with to seek their help and support.