Off-the-job (OTJ) training is a vital part of your apprenticeship, ensuring you develop the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours to succeed. Understanding the requirements and how your hours are calculated is crucial for a smooth and successful apprenticeship journey.
How Many OTJ Hours Are Required?
The Department for Education (DfE) sets the minimum OTJ requirements.
For full-time apprenticeships, you'll need a minimum of 6 hours of OTJ per week. This time is dedicated to learning activities directly relevant to your apprenticeship but outside of your routine work responsibilities.
If you're on a part-time apprenticeship, your weekly OTJ hours will be pro-rated. This means the 6-hour minimum is adjusted to reflect your longer program duration.
Some apprenticeships may require more than 6 hours per week. This could be to help you achieve specific competency goals or meet the demands of your particular program within the agreed timeframe.
Always refer to your individual Training Plan. This document, which you receive at the start of your apprenticeship, will clearly outline the specific OTJ requirements tailored to your program.
How Are OTJ Hours Calculated?
The method for calculating your OTJ hours depends on when your apprenticeship began:
For apprenticeships started before August 2022: Your OTJ hours are calculated as 20% of your contracted working hours.
For apprenticeships initiated in August 2022 or later: Your OTJ requirements are customised to your specific apprenticeship type. The exact calculation and targets will be detailed in your Training Plan.
OTJ Tracking and Annual Leave
Your OTJ tracker typically doesn't account for pre-planned leave in real-time. It will usually show a consistent rate of increase each week, regardless of holidays. However, an adjustment for statutory leave is prorated across your entire training period.
To avoid falling behind, it's a good practice to build up a buffer of OTJ hours. This way, you won't have to catch up significantly when you return from leave, ensuring you stay on track with your overall progress.
Carrying Over Extra OTJ Hours
Any extra OTJ hours you log in one week will carry over! This means if you accumulate a surplus, you have the flexibility to log fewer hours in subsequent weeks while still meeting your overall targets. It's an excellent way to manage your time effectively and stay ahead.