Apprenticeship Guide 2023

A Guide to Apprenticeships with ACL

A bit about ACL (Adult Community Learning)

Our apprenticeships are delivered in businesses and organisations across the county and along its borders.

We offer apprenticeships at levels 2 through to 5 in a range of sectors. Programmes are suitable if you’re leaving school or college, looking for a change of career or already in work but requiring new skills to support a promotion or change of job role.

Programmes are designed to be as flexible as possible to meet the demands of both you, the apprentice, and your employer. We will use a variety of delivery modes including: taught sessions at one of our centres, distance learning through our virtual and digital learning platforms and 1.2.1 coaching sessions at your place or work.

Our service includes:

a recruitment service that helps those not in a job to find a suitable apprenticeship position

dedicated support throughout the apprenticeship programme from a professional and occupationally competent delivery team

robust skills scans and training needs analysis to ensure the programme you have selected is right for you

access to a range of add-on courses and workshops that enhance your apprenticeship

This guide has been designed to provide simplified information and guidance on all aspects of your apprenticeship journey with ACL. We hope you find it useful.

Kind regards, The Apprenticeship Team

ACL.apprenticeships@essex.gov.uk

03330 139 502

Thank you for choosing ACL as your apprenticeship provider. We are the largest provider of Adult Education in Essex and the main apprenticeship provider for Essex County Council.

Apprenticeship Facts

A percentage of your time will be spent in some form of off job training to support the knowledge element of your apprenticeship. We use a blended approach which includes: online learning, research and project work, classroom sessions both physical and virtual, employer led activity and 1.2.1 sessions in the workplace.

Apprenticeships are not just for school and college leavers. Existing employees could be eligible and suitable for apprenticeships too – they are a great way to support individuals who require development, have changed roles, gained additional responsibilities or recently been promoted. Additionally, individuals looking for a change of career could also be eligible.

A-Levels and University Degrees are no better than apprenticeships – they’re just different! Undertaking an apprenticeship means that you’re gaining the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to do a particular job. You can move up through the apprenticeship levels and in many cases complete a degree as part of a higher apprenticeship.

Not everyone on an apprenticeship receives the Minimum Apprenticeship Wage. Many employers will pay more than this. If you’re already working, you would continue to be paid your current salary.

You do not have to have a job when you apply for an apprenticeship at ACL. If you’ve just left school or college, are unemployed or looking for a change of job we can support you to find the right opportunity to complete your programme.

We thought we’d share a few apprenticeship facts - here are our top five!

The ACL Apprenticeship Offer

Apprenticeships are an alternative to the traditional college and university routes. You will be working and studying at the same time, whilst working towards the achievement of occupational competence.

It doesn’t matter how old you are, or at what stage in your career you are at, an apprenticeship could give you the opportunity to improve your prospects and achieve your goals.

Level 2 is designed for new entrants

Level 3 assumes prior achievement at level 2 or previous study/work in relevant subject area

Levels 4 and 5 are higher level programmes designed for those already working in the sector and looking to develop their skills up to and including degree level.

I would 100% recommend doing an apprenticeship to anyone. There are so many different courses out there to choose from and all of them give learners so many different opportunities to excel in a work place. With these opportunities and skills, joined with the knowledge of your chosen course, you are assured to be an ideal candidate for any job!

Holly from Impamark

Our Apprenticeship Programmes

Business School

Accounts or Finance

Assistant Level 2

Customer Service

Practitioner Level 2

Public Service

Operations Delivery Officer Level 2 *Coming Soon

Assistant Accountant Level 3

Business Administrator Level 3

Customer Service

Professional Level 3

Payroll Administrator Level 3 *Coming Soon

I.T. & Digital

I.T. Solutions Technician (Software) Level 3

I.T. Solutions Technician (Hardware) Level 3

Digital Marketer Level 3 *Coming Soon

Team Leader or Supervisor Level 3

Associate Project Manager Level 4

Professional Accounting Technician Level 4

Schools Business Professional Level 4

Coaching Professional Level 5

Operations or Departmental Manager Level 5

Science, Health and Care

Adult Care Worker

Level 2

Healthcare Cleaning Operative Level 2

Healthcare Science Assistant Level 2

Healthcare Support Worker Level 2

Laboratory Technician Level 3 *Coming Soon

Lead Adult Care Worker Level 3

Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3

Lead Practioner in Adult Care Level 4

Leader in Adult Care Level 5

Early Years & Education

Early Years Practitioner

Level 2

Early Years Educator Level 3

Learning Mentor Level 3 *Coming Soon

Children, Young People & Families Practitioner (Community) Level 4 *Coming Soon

Junior Content Producer Level 3 *Coming Soon

Cyber Security Technician Level 3 *Coming Soon

Teaching Assistant Level 3

Assessor Coach Level 4 *Coming Soon

Children, Young People & Families Practitioner (Residential) Level 4

Children, Young People & Families Manager (Community) Level 5 *Coming Soon

Details of these courses can be found on our website

How it works

Each apprenticeship has different components and will usually last between 15 and 24 months depending on the level taken and the apprentice’s prior knowledge, skills and behaviours.

Before you start, you will be required to complete an Initial Assessment – this includes maths, English, a sector skills scan and an interview with a member of the ACL Apprenticeship Team (if you are a current employee, we will also ask your employer to complete a skills scan). We will use this information to determine the content, price and duration of your programme. Once agreed we will ask your line manager to sign the Employer Agreement and the apprenticeship can commence. There is no cost to you as an apprentice, but your employer will be required to pay for the apprenticeship training in addition to your wages.

Some apprenticeships have qualifications built into them whilst others are purely competency based. In some circumstance’s qualifications can be added to the programme for an additional fee to cover registration and exams. Your employer would pay the fee.

You will have a dedicated tutor who will have responsibility for ensuring that all elements of your programme are delivered within the agreed timeframe. You will have contact time with them at least once per month throughout your programme

The main components of the apprenticeship are covered in the following sections.

Induction

Once a start date has been agreed for the apprenticeship, we will book your induction. The induction will take approximately two hours and your line manager will need to be present. At this meeting the tutor will:

set up your Individual Learning Plan (ILP) and confirm your planned end date discuss the content of the programme and any additional support that you may require agree the off job training set some initial targets ask the line manager and yourself to sign both the Apprenticeship Agreement and Commitment Statement

Reviews of Progress

At the induction we will ask your line manager to set you some initial learning targets– your tutor will also set some. You too will be required to set some learning objectives that you wish to achieve throughout your programme.

Progress against these targets and objectives will be checked at the initial review - this will take place four weeks into the programme. The reviews then occur every 10 weeks. They last approximately one hour and are like a mini-appraisal. Your tutor will spend time with both yourself and your line manager to: track progress against previously set targets and objectives set new targets and objectives for both the programme and the workplace ensure the off job training is being met and recorded check that your apprenticeship is on track as a whole answer any questions or concerns about the programme

The Off Job Training

This is the part of the programme where you acquire the new skills, knowledge and behaviours that make you occupationally competent. Our blended approach means that programmes are flexible and enable apprentices to experience a range of learning opportunities in a variety of formats. This means that not all apprentices are required to attend a weekly classroom session.

The off job training activity is calculated over the life time of the apprenticeship and could include:

A taught session at an ACL centre

An online tutorial or training session

A virtual or digital activity

A research project linked to the occupational area

Self-guided study (this includes remote tutor support)

Workshops and seminars

Attendance at conferences or trade shows

1.2.1 meetings with their tutor or line manager

Related industry training

Employer led training

Staff meetings or away days

Induction training

Essentially any activity that you undertake where you are gaining new knowledge, skills or behaviours relating to the apprenticeship can be counted. Your tutor will show you how to record this.

At induction the off job training will be planned, and the detail agreed. An example of what this may look like can be found below.

The number of off job training hours required is calculated against the number of hours that you are contracted to work each week and the duration of the programme – we use an OJT calculator to work this out for us.

On Job Training

As well as the formal training that ACL will provide you will also be undertaking on job training with your employer. You will be gaining essential skills, knowledge and behaviours in your everyday role that support your apprenticeship and demonstrate your competence to undertake your role to the required standard.

Example: Business Administration Level 3 (18 months 37.5 hrs a week)

Maths and English

These core skills are an integral part of all apprenticeships. If you do not hold a recognised level 2 equivalent (e.g. C grade GCSE) or have your certificates to demonstrate your exemption you will need to undertake Functional Skills as part of the programme. Our Initial Assessment will indicate what level you’re working at and how long it is likely to take you to complete these qualifications.

Functional skills do not count towards the off job training. In some instances, we may recommend that the Functional Skills are completed before your apprenticeship starts.

Functional skills test an individual’s understanding of everyday maths and English. The qualification is delivered through a mixture of classroom, online and self-study resources. There are three exam components for English and one for maths.

Maths and English skills are embedded into every apprenticeship. Even if you don’t need to sit exams the tutors will ensure that you develop these skills further through contextualised learning and assessment.

NB* Not all previously attained maths and English qualifications will provide an exemption for Functional Skills – we will advise you and your employer/line manager prior to the start of the programme if you need to complete functional skills as part of your programme.

Digital Skills (Information Technology - ICT)

As part of their programme all apprentices will have the opportunity to undertake training to improve their digital skills. These are often in the form of workshops at one of our centres or in a virtual classroom and can include things like: spreadsheets, word processing and photoshop.

We use virtual learning tools and an e-portfolio system to deliver and manage certain aspects of the apprenticeship.

These will further support digital skills and give you confidence in using a range of different systems and platforms.

Enrichment Programmes

As part of your programme you will be offered the opportunity to participate in additional workshops to enrich your apprenticeship. They are designed to develop your knowledge and skills both personally and professionally. Some of these could count towards your off job learning.

British Values, Health & Safety and Equality & Diversity

Your apprenticeship will develop and embed your knowledge of these three topics throughout your programme.

Virtual Learning and E-Portfolios

To support apprenticeship delivery, we use various online and digital resources and platforms to enable a blended learning approach.

A few of these are listed below:

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

This is our own system where apprentices can access and complete online learning activities. These activities are set by the tutor and are aligned to the apprenticeship. There are various resources stored in the VLE that support units or elements of the programme being undertaken.

Hybrid Classrooms & Microsoft Teams

These digital systems enable the tutor to ‘visit’ the apprentice remotely or carry out taught sessions/ elements to a group or individual through a virtual classroom.

Learning Assistant

All apprentices will use our e-portfolio system to store work and track progress. Your line manager will also have access to the system so that they can see the progress being made between progress review meetings.

End Point Assessment EPA

End Point Assessment (EPA) takes place at the end of the apprenticeship programme and is a comprehensive holistic assessment of the skills, knowledge and behaviours required as laid out in the apprenticeship standard. It is carried out by an Independant External Organisation and is generally made up of:

Portfolio of work - a mixture of written documents, observations, witness testimonies, audio and video evidence that showcases the professional application of on-programme learning.

Online knowledge test - you will showcase your knowledge by answering a series of questions, explaining how you would respond to a range of different scenarios. Assessed via an online, on-demand test.

Competency based interview - a one-to-one interview with the apprentice, using structured questions to test understanding and application of knowledge, and to assess their soft skills and behaviours.

Professional discussion - the appointed EPA assessor leads a detailed discussion around the apprentices personal and professional development, looking for clear evidence of focused CPD and how this has been applied to improve performance in the workplace.

You will receive a Pass, Merit or Distinction upon completion of the apprenticeship. If the result is a fail then a resit will be agreed with both yourself and your employer.

The skills I have learnt throughout my time on the apprenticeship with ACL has prepared me to be able to progress within my organisation and feel confident in doing so. I am on course to finish my Business Administrator – L3 qualification this year and I am hoping to do this with the best possible mark.

Wade from Essex County Council

Commitment from your employer

Before your apprenticeship commences there are a few things that we will need your employer to do.

This is to ensure that you receive the best learning experience and are fully supported throughout. We will:

require them to create an Apprenticeship Service account

ask them to sign a contract with ACL confirming that they agree to and understand their responsibilities and obligations including compliance with the ESFA (Education & Skills Funding Agency) rules.

carry out a Health & Safety Check on your place of work. A qualified ACL team member will complete this with the employer.

complete an Employer Agreement document with them which includes the financial arrangements and payment schedules for your programme

take a copy of their Employers Liability Insurance

ask them to confirm that you have or will have a contract of employment in place on the first day of your apprenticeship

ensure that you are being paid at least the minimum apprenticeship wage

ask them to read through our safeguarding and prevent procedures, including absence reporting, to make sure you are safe

The Financial Stuff

Paying for the apprenticeship

The government have set maximum prices for each apprenticeship. The price your employer will pay will depend on the occupational area, the level and any prior qualifications, knowledge, skills and behaviours that you, the apprentice already has; we use the initial assessment and skills scan to identify these. Our Apprenticeship Team will negotiate and agree a price for your apprenticeship with your employer. As an apprentice you do not pay anything.

Employers will pay for your apprenticeship in one of three ways:

1. Through their Apprenticeship Levy Account

2. Through Co-investment

3. Through gifting (levy transfer)

Apprentice Wages

Apprentices can be paid the apprentice wage if they’re either:

aged under 19

aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship

Most employers pay above this rate and if you are an existing employee you would continue on your current rate of pay. As an apprentice you can receive salary increases at any point during your programme.

Travel Costs

The employer is responsible for paying travel costs to any apprentice attending a taught session that is further away than their normal place of work

Care Leaver Grant

If you are aged 16 – 24 and are a care leaver you may be eligible to receive a payment of £1,000. We will discuss this with you at your interview.

Keeping you safe

We have a duty to safeguard every apprentice. At induction you will be given information on our safeguarding and absence reporting procedures. This will include details of our Designated Safeguarding Team.

Additionally, your tutor will ensure that you understand the Prevent Duty – this is a government act to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

Whenever I turn up to sessions with my assessor, he always asks how I am and how I feel I am progressing. He has given me the confidence to continue and complete the apprenticeship.

My apprenticeship has been more than beneficial to me and supports me every day within my job role. Billy from ECL