To join the programme, you’ll need to:

• Be committed to the training and have your employer’s full support.
• Ensure your job role aligns with the programme, as you’ll need to demonstrate the skills required for the End Point Assessment.
• Have lived in the UK for 3+ years or be part of the EU Settlement Scheme, and spend at least 50% of your time working in England.
• Hold an employment contract and work at least 16 hours per week.
• Not be enrolled in another government-funded programme.
• Have achieved Level 2 (grade 4 or above at GCSE) in English and maths before the End Point Assessment. If you haven’t, we can help you achieve this as part of the apprenticeship.

We’ll ask a few questions to get to know you better:

• About You: Your name, date of birth, address, and contact details. These are what we’ll use to stay in touch throughout your programme.
• Your Contract: Your job title, how long you’ve been in the role, the type of contract you have, and the number of hours you work each week.
• Your Learning: Any qualifications you’ve already achieved, plus any disabilities, neurodiversity, or learning needs you might have so we can offer the right support.
• Your Manager: Your Line Manager’s contact details, so we can stay connected with them too and ensure you're getting the most out of your time on programme.
• Next of Kin & Home Situation: We ask this as part of our duty to safeguard you during your time with us.

• We’ll send you the form before you enrol in the programme. Take a moment to read it through and jot down your thoughts on what you already know and what you’d like to learn more about.
• This is your chance to share where you’d like to focus your development and any specific areas you want to improve.
• We’ll then meet with you and your Line Manager to go over your ideas and make sure we’re all aligned on your learning goals.
• Remember, everyone’s TNA is unique —your plan will be personalised to fit your needs, so no two plans will be the same!

• What Are Functional Skills: Functional Skills are equivalent to GCSEs in maths and English. They focus on practical, everyday skills—English covers speaking, listening, and communicating, while maths gives you the essential problem-solving skills you need to succeed.

• We Teach Them Differently: We know that the thought of doing maths and English can be daunting (we get it—school flashbacks), but we promise this is different. No classroom learning, every learner is paired with a Specialist Functional Skills Tutor who will work with you one-to-one. The initial assessment makes sure you’re only focusing on the areas you need to pass, so there’s no wasted time—just targeted support to help you succeed.

During the sign-up meeting, we’ll show you how to upload your work and navigate our online learning platform, Smart Assessor. You'll use Smart Assessor throughout your programme to:

• Upload your work and get feedback from your tutor.
• Record your off-the-job learning as part of your apprenticeship.
• Log any Continued Professional Development (CPD) activities you complete during the programme.
• Track your progress to see how you’re getting on.

• Review your TNA and set clear goals and objectives for what you want to achieve on the programme.
• Take part in a learning styles activity to help us understand the best way to support your learning.
• Complete a Health & Safety form to ensure a safe learning environment.
• Discuss our safeguarding responsibilities, including digital learning guidelines.

Functional Skills

Functional Skills sessions are delivered entirely remotely by a Specialist Functional Skills Tutor. You’ll have a monthly meeting with them, in addition to your regular sessions with your programme Tutor. If you need extra support, they’re happy to meet with you more often—just let us know!

During your review, we'll discuss: 

• Your Work and Feedback: We’ll discuss your recent tasks and projects, including any feedback you've received from colleagues or managers.
• Progress on the Programme: We’ll review your development so far, including any continuing professional development (CPD) activities and off-the-job learning you’ve completed.
• Addressing Challenges: If you’ve faced any obstacles, we’ll work together to identify the root cause and create a plan of action to help you overcome them.
• Impact on Your Role: We’ll explore how your learning has influenced your day-to-day responsibilities and contributed to your performance at work.
• Reviewing Achievements and Setting Goals: We’ll look back at what you’ve accomplished over the past 12 weeks, reflect on the goals you set previously, and outline new targets for the upcoming period.

The EPA usually involves two or three different assessment methods to evaluate your progress. Depending on your programme, this might include a knowledge test, a project, a professional discussion, an observation, or a presentation. Each method is chosen to give you the best chance to showcase what you’ve learned and how you’ve applied it in your role.

Progression

Thinking about what’s next is a big decision. You might feel ready for a break after completing your apprenticeship, and that’s completely understandable! However, it’s a good idea to start considering your next steps and how you can build on the skills you’ve gained. Whether it’s moving into a higher-level apprenticeship, taking on a new role, or exploring further training, we’re here to support you as you plan your future.