What do the OTJ Categories Mean?
When logging your Off-the-Job (OTJ) activities, selecting the most appropriate category ensures accurate tracking of your progress and provides a clear record of your development. If an activity could reasonably fit into more than one category, don't worry too much about the specific choice; focus on accurately describing the activity itself.
Here's a guide to common OTJ categories with illustrative examples:
OTJ Category | Description | Examples |
Workshop, Bootcamp, or Delivery Session | Structured learning sessions, often instructor-led, covering specific modules or topics. | Attending a module delivery session led by an instructor; participating in a dedicated skills bootcamp. |
Training at Your Work | Formal or informal training provided within your workplace directly relevant to your apprenticeship. | Participating in internal company training on a new software system relevant to your role; receiving one-to-one coaching from a senior colleague on a specific work process. |
Apprenticeship-Related Learning | Self-directed learning activities that deepen your understanding of your apprenticeship subject matter. | Reading an industry article related to your apprenticeship; watching an educational video on a relevant technical skill; researching a new concept for a project. |
Shadowing a Colleague | Observing a colleague to learn about their responsibilities, processes, or how they apply specific skills. | Spending time observing a manager conducting client meetings; shadowing a developer to understand their coding practices; observing a team lead to learn about project management. |
Applying Apprenticeship Learning to Work | Directly implementing knowledge or skills gained from your apprenticeship into your daily work tasks or projects. | Using a new analytical technique learned in a module to solve a work problem; applying project management principles to a team assignment; developing a new report based on acquired data analysis skills. |
Cohort Collaboration | Working with your fellow apprentices or peers on topics or projects related to your apprenticeship. | Collaborating with your cohort on a group assignment; discussing a challenging concept with peers; participating in a study group for an upcoming assessment. |
Portfolio Work | Activities dedicated to compiling and organising evidence for your apprenticeship portfolio. | Collecting work samples for your portfolio; writing reflections on your learning experiences; organising documents for submission. |
Apprenticeship Assignment or Project | Completing specific academic tasks or projects assigned as part of your apprenticeship modules. | Working on a module's assignment; completing a research project for a specific unit; working on and writing up an apprenticeship project. |
Module Learning or Revision | Activities undertaken to prepare for or reinforce learning from specific apprenticeship modules. | Completing pre-work or extra reading for an upcoming delivery session; reviewing notes from a past module; creating flashcards for module content. |
Exam Revision or Assessment Work | Preparing specifically for examinations or knowledge checks related to your apprenticeship. | Completing practice knowledge checks; creating self-made revision resources for an exam. |
Communicating with My Coach | Seeking guidance or advice from your apprenticeship coach on matters relevant to your learning or development. | Discussing a challenging aspect of your apprenticeship with your coach; seeking advice on how to improve a specific skill. |
Multiverse Community | Engaging with the broader Multiverse community for development, learning, or peer interaction. | Attending a Multiverse Community event or development opportunity; reading an article or watching a video on the Multiverse Hub; communicating with peers on the Multiverse platform. |