A step-by-step guide to enrolling your staff with tend

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Ensuring a smooth start to tend training

When you choose to invest in your staff’s professional growth, you want the enrolment process to be clear, efficient, and supportive. At tend, we understand that time is precious in the care sector. That’s why we’ve designed an onboarding journey that gets learners up and running quickly, while ensuring all the important details are covered.

Our step-by-step approach makes the process simple to follow, setting your team on the path to success in careers with heart; and in developing skills with purpose.

Step 1: Account activation

Every learner receives an activation email for their APTEM account. APTEM is our secure, online learning portal. Here, they’ll create a digital signature, and set the foundations for their learning journey. If there are any issues, our dedicated Education Advisors are on hand to help.

Step 2: Pre-enrolment checks

Once logged in, learners complete essential pre-enrolment tasks. This ensures everything is in place before training begins, giving employers peace of mind that compliance and paperwork are handled seamlessly.

Step 3: Onboarding made simple

The onboarding section guides learners in providing personal details, as well as completing introductory tasks. It’s straightforward, transparent, and built to support both the learner and the employer from day one.

Step 4: Functional skills assessments

All learners complete initial Maths and English assessments. These aren’t hurdles. They’re tools to identify where additional support may be needed. By completing these online, learners can take their time, ensuring accurate results that inform their individual development plans.

Step 5: Continuing the journey

After assessments, the programme may temporarily pause. Learners are guided to return to APTEM and continue their onboarding tasks, keeping momentum going without confusion.

Step 6: Skills radar

This stage invites learners to self-assess their current skills, behaviours, and knowledge. It isn’t a test. It’s just an opportunity for honest reflection.

Scores are rated from 1 to 10, and can be completed independently, or with a manager. This helps everyone understand where growth opportunities lie.

Step 7: Guidance and Clarity

To make sure expectations are clear, tend arranges a Careers, Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG) call with the learner and their manager.

This conversation ensures both employer and employee agree the date of the First Day In Learning (FDIL), and fully understand the journey ahead.

Step 8: First Day in Learning (FDIL)

On the FDIL (the date of which is agreed during the CIAG call), the learner must complete 2 tasks. The first, is answering a set of questions. The second, is signing the documents.

Your staff member’s education advisor will explain how to finish these. Completing these initial FDIL tasks will take around 20-40 minutes. After that, the learning journey is officially underway.

Step 9: Self-directed activities

Before formal teaching begins, learners complete a small set of self-directed tasks, upload evidence, and familiarise themselves with the APTEM portal. This helps them hit the ground running when they meet their delivery team.

Why the tend enrolment process matters

By following this structured yet supportive process, your staff are fully prepared to make the most of their apprenticeship.

More than that, they’ll join a community of tend-trained professionals; a mark of excellence in the care sector that sets them, and your organisation, apart.

With tend, enrolling your staff is simple, supportive, and designed to deliver long-lasting impact.

Ready to invest in your workforce? Reach out to the tend team today on 01753 596 004, or hit the button below.