Your Apprenticeship Journey: What to Expect From Start to Finish

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Your Apprenticeship Journey

Starting an apprenticeship is an exciting step, but it can sometimes be difficult to know what happens next.

From enrolment and your first learning activities through to progress reviews, workplace evidence and End-Point Assessment (EPA), there are several stages to your apprenticeship journey.

We’ve put together this guide so you know what to expect and how you can make the most of your time with us.

Getting started

Before your apprenticeship begins, you’ll complete a number of enrolment and onboarding activities.

These help us understand your starting point, confirm your eligibility and make sure your programme is right for you.

Depending on your apprenticeship, this may include:

• Completing your enrolment and onboarding documents
• Completing English and maths assessments where required
• Reviewing your previous learning and experience
• Completing a skills or knowledge assessment
• Identifying any additional learning support you may need
• Discussing your role, responsibilities and career goals
• Meeting your Development Coach

Your starting assessments aren’t about getting everything right. They’re there to help us understand where you are now, so we can support your development throughout your apprenticeship.

Your learning plan

Once you’ve started, you’ll have a clear learning plan showing what you’ll be working towards.

Your apprenticeship combines learning with your day-to-day role. You’ll develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for your apprenticeship standard and apply what you learn in the workplace.

Your learning may include:

• Online learning and digital resources
• One-to-one coaching
• Group learning or webinars
• Guided study and independent learning
• Workplace activities
• Reflection and professional discussions
• Assessments and evidence
• Off-the-job training

You’ll be supported throughout your programme, but you’ll also be expected to take ownership of your learning.

Applying your learning at work

One of the biggest benefits of an apprenticeship is being able to put your learning into practice.

You may be asked to demonstrate your skills in your workplace, reflect on your experiences or provide evidence of how you’ve applied your learning.

Your evidence could include:

• Workplace observations
• Reflective accounts
• Professional discussions
• Questions and answers
• Work products
• Case studies, projects or assignments
• Witness testimony
• Videos, where appropriate
• Simulated activities, where appropriate

The type of evidence you complete will depend on your apprenticeship and the requirements of your programme.

Your Development Coach will explain what is required and will support you to build your evidence throughout your apprenticeship.

Progress reviews

Progress reviews are an important part of your apprenticeship.

These are opportunities for you, your employer and your Development Coach to look at how you’re progressing, celebrate your achievements and identify anything that may need additional support.

You’ll discuss things such as:

• What you’ve learned
• The progress you’ve made
• Your workplace development
• Your off-the-job training
• Your evidence and learning activities
• Your targets and next steps
• Your career goals
• Any support you may need

Come prepared for your reviews and be ready to talk about your achievements, challenges and goals.

Staying on track

Your apprenticeship is your responsibility as well as ours.

Keeping up with your learning plan, attending agreed sessions, completing your work and keeping in touch with your Development Coach will all help you make steady progress.

If something is affecting your learning, don’t wait until your next review to mention it.

Speak to your Development Coach as soon as possible so we can work with you to find the right support.

Gateway and End-Point Assessment

As you approach the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll begin preparing for your Gateway and End-Point Assessment, where applicable.

Gateway is the stage where your training provider and employer confirm that you’ve completed the requirements needed to move forward to your final assessment.

Your Development Coach will help you understand what needs to be completed and support you with your preparation.

Your EPA is carried out by an independent End-Point Assessment Organisation. The assessment methods will depend on your apprenticeship standard.

You can find out more about EPA in our End-Point Assessment guide.

What’s next?

Completing your apprenticeship isn’t the end of your learning journey.

Throughout your programme, you’ll have opportunities to think about your career goals, develop your confidence and build skills that can support your next step.

Talk to your Development Coach about your plans and the progression opportunities available to you.

Remember

You don’t have to navigate your apprenticeship alone.

Your Development Coach, employer and wider support team are here to help you make progress, overcome challenges and get the most from your learning.

If you’re unsure about what happens next, just ask. We’re here to support you every step of the way.