Apprenticeships Overview
Earn while you learn! Read more about our the apprenticeships we offer.
Find more information about your Apprenticeship below.
An Apprenticeship is a job with training to industry standards whether that is by enabling people to enter new full-time employment while improving their education or by existing employees progressing within their company by upskilling in a new job role.
Apprenticeships are designed to meet the needs of employers and the needs of their employees enabling them to establish a rewarding and secure career. Apprenticeships are an ‘earn while you learn’ alternative to college that offer the opportunity for you to achieve a nationally recognised certificate whilst gaining experience of a working environment. The hands on training of an Apprenticeship will help develop many skills you need to carry through your working career.
What does an Apprenticeship involve?
Standards differ significantly depending on the job role and sector when it comes to qualifications and training durations.
During the recruitment process, the Employer and OTC will pick the relevant Apprenticeship Standard based on the job role the apprentice will be completing.
Apprenticeship training can last between 12 and 42 months depending on the Standard plus additional time for the End Point Assessment.
Some Standards have specific mandatory qualifications which must be completed, others are more flexible and allow the provider to choose the qualifications (if any) they feel are needed in order for the Apprentice to develop the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency and pass the End Point Assessment, or to enable the apprentice to progress to Higher Education on completion of the apprenticeship.
All Standards include some form of Behavioural skills (BARS) that Apprentices will need to demonstrate throughout the learning journey. These are such things as Health and Safety, working with others and interpersonal skills.
What Apprenticeships do OTC deliver?
End Point Assessment
Each Standard will require the Apprentice to complete an End Point Assessment (EPA) in order to demonstrate competency in the job role and the sector they are working in. The EPA is conducted by a separate EPA Organisation to ensure fair and unbiased assessments.
EPA’s consist of 2-4 different elements and may include knowledge exams, skills assessments, interviews and projects. Further information, can be found by searching for the appropriate standard on the following website: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/
Funding
Apprenticeships are either funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency, the Employer (if they are a “Levy” company) or both (co-funded). Where co-funded, the Employer will pay 5% of the funding costs and the ESFA will pay the remaining.
Parents
If your son or daughter is interested in starting work and they are keen to learn some skills and gain valuable qualifications, then an apprenticeship may be the right route for them.
Business Benefits
Apprentices tend to be eager, motivated, flexible and loyal. Learn more about how apprenticeships can positively impact your organisation needs for now and for the future.
Employer FAQs
Making decisions on your future can a leave you with a lot of unanswered question. We’ve collated a list of frequently asked questions that we think will help.