Changes to Off-the-Job Learning : New 6 Hours Per Week Requirement

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Added 30.08.22

The government has revised its requirements for off-the-job training in apprenticeships, replacing the previous 20% rule with a  new minimum requirement of 6 hours per week.

As of 1st August, the Education and Skills Funding Agency has introduced this change. Previously, learners were required to dedicate 20% of their working hours to off-the-job training. However, under the new guidelines, a fixed minimum of 6 hours per week has been set. This means that learners working more than 30 hours per week will now spend less than 20% of their time on off-the-job training, a change welcomed by many employers who viewed the previous requirement as a barrier when considering apprenticeships for staff training. 

Off-the-job (OTJ) learning, a legal requirement for our programmes, involves engaging in new learning experiences directly relevant to the course, outside of the apprentices usual job role. These experiences should take place within normal working hours and aim to enhance learners’ knowledge, skills, and behaviours. 

Intec is incorporating this new requirement into our apprenticeship programmes. Embarking on one of our programmes is a commitment that requires support from employers. To ensure learners succeed, they need to dedicate an average of 6 hours a week to OTJ learning. This may sound like a lot but in the first few months of their new role, the learner will constantly be learning new things. All of this learning can count towards the OTJ learning requirement.

With Existing staff members going onto one of our programmes, OTJ can be achieved through independent learning and the application of the learning into their work. Activities are tracked and logged in Smart Assessor and for part-time employees (working less than 30 hours a week), the programme can be adjusted with an extended timeline and fewer weekly OTJ hours, providing flexibility to fit varied schedules.

A wide range of activities can count towards OTJ, though it's important to note that functional skills delivery, progress reviews, or training outside of working hours cannot be included.

Safeguarding OTJ and investing in professional development ensures learners gain the competencies needed to excel in their new role, positively contributing to an organisation’s future.

  • Induction
  • One-to-one with tutor
  • Other relevant learning
  • Practical training
  • Online learning
  • Workshops
  • Related projects
  • Research
  • Writing assignments
  • Mentoring & Shadowing
  • Competitions
  • Interactions with peers

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