Apprenticeships: Guide for Line Managers (2022)

Discover everything you need to know below — from key insights to helpful tips that make a difference.

Supporting Your Apprentice in the Workplace

Thank you for reading this guide on supporting your apprentice in the workplace. You may also like to read: 2024 Line Manager Guide

This guide is provided by Fareport Training. We are an approved training provider and have offered apprenticeships in a wide range of occupational areas for over 35 years.

As line manager, your role is crucial to the success of the apprenticeship. Without line manager support most apprentices will not fully benefit from doing an apprenticeship and in some cases will struggle to complete their programme. You will contribute significantly to your apprentice’s learning experience.

At Fareport Training we realise that this can be daunting for many busy managers, with almost 1 in 2 managers saying they do not feel confident in supporting their apprentices. We are here to help you and ensure that your apprentice gets the maximum benefit from their apprenticeship programme.

This Guide Will Cover:

What do I need to know about apprenticeships?
How is off-the-job training taught?
How can I support my apprentice?

What Do I Need to Know About Apprenticeships?

Apprenticeships are much more than completing a standard or achieving a qualification. They are an excellent way of gaining workplace experience, understanding how a business works, improving personal and social skills, and starting or progressing in a career in a chosen field.

✓ It is a job in a skilled occupation
✓ It requires substantial training over a sustained period lasting a minimum of 12 months with a minimum of 6 hours a week off-the-job training
✓ It develops transferable skills, including Maths and English
✓ It leads to full competency and capability in an occupation
✓ It trains the apprentice to the level required for professional recognition (where applicable)

Apprenticeships are open to anyone eligible to work in the UK who hasn’t already completed the training needed for their role. All apprentices have the same rights as other employees including holiday pay, sick pay, health and safety protection, and benefits. The key difference is that they must be given time during working hours for learning—at least 6 hours per week (for 30-hour contracts), which equates to 20% of their working time.

What Counts as Off-the-Job Training?

Knowledge and technical teaching (lectures, online learning, assignments)
Practical skills development (shadowing, coaching, projects)
Behavioural development aligned to apprenticeship standards

Note: Off-the-job training does not include English/Maths study time or any training done outside of paid hours.

How Is This Off-the-Job Training Taught?

Fareport Training provides the knowledge and technical training. Apprentices are supported by a dedicated Trainer and use our online system OneFile to:

Access resources: workbooks, videos, exams
Submit work and assignments
Track progress
Communicate with their Trainer

As a manager, you will have access to OneFile and be part of the Training Agreement (Commitment Statement), which outlines everyone’s responsibilities.