During the early stages of a new course, there are resources to access, new systems to navigate, tutors to get to know, as well as your day job. You'll soon get used to going directly to systems like the Hub, Blackboard, OneSearch, but for now this New Students page brings resources, systems and services together in one place.
Your apprenticeship is sponsored learning, managed through signed agreement with your employer, funded via the government and as such is regulated. To help demonstrate progress, we use an Apprenticeship Management System called APTEM, through which you completed your application to the programme. Please note access to APTEM remains with your email you first used to start your application.
Your apprenticeship is formed of three key elements:
To successfully complete your apprenticeship, you will need to fulfil the obligations associated with the three elements above.
You will progress through a set number of academic modules per academic year, with professional competencies (Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours) via in-work assessment and portfolio evidence, depending on your course and its structure. We will conduct a Tripartite Review (TPR) in the first six weeks, then on a regular basis throughout your programme. This will be between you, your course representative and your line manager/mentor. It will be an opportunity for you to discuss progress, raise concerns and agree SMART targets for the next period of learning.
Your programme teams will provide you with advice and guidance on how your learning is structured and contributes to the Knowledge Skills and Behaviours needed for End Point Assessment (EPA). Your EPA will differ considerably between apprenticeship programmes, and your programme teams and tutors will provide you with local information and tools to prepare for EPA. Your EPA Assessment Plan is added to the Programme Documents in the Document Tab of Aptem.
The apprenticeship agreement is statutory requirement for an apprenticeship in connection with an approved apprenticeship standard. It forms part of the individual employment arrangements between the apprentice and the employer. It is a contract of service (i.e. a contract of employment) and not a contract of apprenticeship. The purpose of the apprenticeship agreement is to identify: the apprenticeship standard connected to the apprenticeship, the dates, and duration of the apprenticeship that is expected to take place, along with the amount of off-the-job training that you are to receive.
When you enrol on one of our apprenticeships, a bespoke Training Plan will be generated setting out the elements of your apprenticeship. This is best described as a contract, which you will sign along with the university and your employer. It outlines the planned content and schedule for training, expectations of the apprenticeship, and how to resolve queries or complaints. It is a requirement of the funding for the apprenticeship that your Training Plan is signed.
An apprenticeship training plan (previously known as a commitment statement) contains in-depth details about the programme length and content. It also ensures the dedication of all parties to the apprenticeship programme and confirms the eligibility of the learner.
Please note the apprenticeship training plan will require to be revised and re-signed by all parties if any changes are made to it by the learner, employer, or provider.
For any change in circumstance, the university has a dedicated team that handles enquiries.
Below is the list of changes that will need to be reported to the apprenticeship tutor or the dedicated change in circumstance team.
Please note, if you have not already, these changes will also need to be reported to the
Break in Learning - Although an apprenticeship is a commitment to continuous learning, there may be times when a break in learning is needed, for example, medical treatment, maternity or paternity leave. The training is paused for the duration of the break.
To qualify for a break in learning, the pause must be 4 weeks or longer.
Breaks in learning must be agreed upon by both, the employer and apprentice, with the agreement that the apprentice will return to the programme once the break-in learning has been ended.
A tripartite review also known as a TPR (Tripartite review), is a regular meeting between three parties to discuss an apprentice's progress. These meetings will include the apprentice, the apprentice's tutor, and the apprentice's employer
The purpose of a TPR is to track the progress against
TPR have set intervals throughout the apprenticeship as set out by the ESFA (Education and Skills Funding Agency), who fund the apprenticeship.
The first, initial TPR will be completed by the first 6 weeks of the apprentices’ start date.
From thereafter, the apprentice will have TPRs scheduled every 12 weeks throughout the apprenticeship.
Paramedic programmes may have a different frequency of TPR due to programme design.
Your APTEM Learning plan will include three mandated e-learning packages which should be completed within the first 6 weeks of your programme. These are:
Whilst some apprentices may have done similar training through work these are designed and focused on you being an apprentice with the University and how you conduct yourself on programme.
Content in development.
Over the duration of your apprenticeship, you need to keep a log of your ‘Off-The-Job Hours’ (OTJH). These hours comprise active learning related to the role you are training for such as:
What is not classed as OTJHs?
Apprentices are not eligible to claim if any of the above
This guide provides an infographic What counts as OTJH
This guide provides a description of common myths around off the job hours and provides information on what off the job hours are. OTJH Myth busting doc.
How do I log OTJHs?
OTJH forms are available on APTEM to complete and should be submitted to your learning plan for the corresponding month to be approved by the academic team.P lease give as much detail as you can about work outside the university. It must be made clear in your logs how the work outside the university relates to your apprenticeship. For logging university time, simply pop the module code in. For anything else make sure you are clear that it is time at work during normal working hours and not a day off or your own time.
OTJHs Support
Apprentice OTJ guidance-Voice Over
OTJH guidance video with Captions
How to submit OTJH (voice over)
Programme Specific Guidance
Programme Specific Guidance can be obtained here:
This video shows how to complete youtr OTJ hours log: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMTl2GqkN6k&t=122s embedded video
Regular reporting
Link to internal SharePoint with information on. https://unicumbriaac.sharepoint.com/sites/APR/SitePages/Off-The-Job-Hours-Record-Sheet.aspx
