Delivery roles of apprenticeships

The training provider 

The training provider makes sure the apprentice receives the training they need to undertake a successful apprenticeship, and to complete the end-point assessment (EPA).  

Their responsibilities are: 

• Completing an initial assessment to make sure the apprentice and apprenticeship standard are a good match 
• Checking the apprentice is eligible for the EPA and has the right entry qualifications 
• Developing a detailed development programme and agreeing the apprenticeship duration 
• Delivering any training for developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) in the apprenticeship standard 
• Carrying out regular progress reviews and ongoing assessments 
• Providing specific support to meet the apprentice’s additional needs 
• Preparing for the apprentice’s EPA 
• Supporting the apprentice’s choice of End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO).  

Types of apprenticeship training provider 

Most employers use an external training organisation to provide the apprenticeship training. There are 3 types of provider: 

• Main provider – The main provider enters into contracts with employers that use the Apprenticeship Service to pay for apprenticeship training, or holds a contract with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to deliver to employers who don’t pay the apprenticeship levy. 
• Supporting provider – The supporting provider enters into subcontracts with main providers and employer providers to enhance apprenticeship training for employers and their apprentices. 
• Employer provider – The employer provider trains their own employees or those of connected companies, and uses the Apprenticeship Service to pay for the apprenticeship training. 

Questions you may want to ask your training provider 

Background and performance history: 

• What experience do you have in providing training for my business sector? 
• How long have you been providing apprenticeship training, and what experience do your trainers and assessors have? 
• Are you working with similar businesses to mine, and can you put me in touch with satisfied clients or share testimonials? 
• Can you give me a copy of your last Ofsted inspection report and your most recent full year success rates? 
• What other quality marks do you have? 
• Do you offer recruitment support, such as writing job descriptions and screening applicants? 

Costs and facilities: 

• Which funding band will the apprenticeship fall within? 
• Are there any other costs, such as registration fees and travel costs? 
• What facilities and equipment do you have to support training, and are you expecting me to provide or pay for any? 
• How do you deliver the apprenticeship training – will the apprentice be on day release or on-site, how often and where? 

Delivery of training: 

• Which apprenticeship qualifications are you accredited to deliver? 
• Can I tailor the apprenticeship to meet my business’s needs and this job role? 
• How can you help me recruit apprentices? 
• How do you assess individual training needs to make sure my apprentice is on the right qualification at the right level? 
• How often will you visit the workplace to carry out assessments and review my apprentice’s progress? 
• How do other employers in my sector normally structure their apprenticeships? 
• Can an apprentice start the apprenticeship at any time of year, or are there restrictions on entry points? 
• How much extra work will the apprentice need to do each week on top of their main job and the off-the-job training? 
• How will you inform me about my apprentice’s progress? 

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