Discover everything you need to know below — from key insights to helpful tips that make a difference.
How can I support my apprentice?
Before your apprentice starts in a new role or their apprenticeship, please make sure that you:
- Understand the apprenticeship(s) your staff member(s) are starting
- Review the requirements of the Apprenticeship Standard and End Point Assessment
- Know what skills and behaviours your apprentice will be asked to demonstrate, and how these will be integrated into their work schedule
- Read and understand the Fareport Training Commitment Statement and the apprenticeship standard your apprentice is on
- Know what qualifications (if any) the apprentice will be taking as part of the apprenticeship
- Be aware of your apprentice’s key milestones and individual learning plan
- Familiarise yourself with the learning management system that your apprentice will be using
- Be aware of any trainer appointments and schedules — line managers should attend a meeting with their apprentice and trainer approximately every 12 weeks
- Contact Fareport or your L&D/HR lead directly if your apprentice is struggling, is not progressing, or is not being open with their trainer
If you have not already been provided with these, Apprenticeship Standards and End Point Assessment documents can be found here.
When your apprentice is in work
Be actively involved, interested, and motivated. The programme will be planned to minimise disruption to daily work schedules, but apprentices will still need time to study, meet with their Fareport Trainer, complete assignments, and prepare for their End Point Assessment (EPA). To help your apprentice:
- Be aware of their schedule and encourage them to take it seriously
- Support them in planning their workload effectively
- Be enthusiastic about learning, your sector, and your area of expertise
- Involve the wider team to create a welcoming and motivated environment
It’s important that scheduled sessions with the Fareport Trainer are not cancelled at the last minute. Discuss any forward plans that may affect the training schedule with your trainer in advance.
Expose your apprentice to new experiences — particularly if they are new to the business. Provide relevant inductions and opportunities such as:
- Health & safety training
- Data protection policies
- Company values and culture
- Clear role expectations — avoid assuming prior knowledge
- Responsibility and autonomy over time
- Work aligned with their apprenticeship standard (with trainer support)
- A designated Mentor or Buddy for guidance and support
Discuss progress regularly. It helps if you can join reviews with your apprentice and their Fareport Trainer — face-to-face or virtually. At a minimum, aim to attend a review every 12 weeks, though more frequent engagement is encouraged.
- Provide constructive feedback on the apprentice’s progress when requested
- Continue goal-setting during regular 1-to-1s using their e-portfolio (OneFile) reports
- Celebrate achievements and take an interest in their long-term development
If you have any concerns about your apprentice, please speak with your Fareport Trainer, Account Manager, or Learning & Development representative so that appropriate support can be arranged.
See this as part of your own development — many managers who have actively supported apprenticeships have found it beneficial for their own leadership skills. Keep up with your own professional development and mentoring best practices too.
Before completion of the Apprenticeship
- Discuss next steps — whether it’s moving into a new role, returning to their existing role with new knowledge, progressing to a higher-level apprenticeship, or exploring new opportunities
- Be aware of internal progression opportunities within your business
- Support the apprentice, alongside Fareport, in finding external opportunities if internal progression is not available
If you would like further advice or support with any aspect of this, please speak to your designated Fareport Trainer.