Overview
Off-the-job training (OTJ) is a key component of UK apprenticeships. It is designed to allow apprentices to develop the skills they are learning through their apprenticeship and consists of activities outside of day-to-day work duties.
What is off-the-job training?
It consists of teaching, coaching, learning and work-based activities that support the development and embedding of competence in the key skills and behaviours required to achieve a given apprenticeship.
What does OTJ consist of?
OTJ can be a wide range of activities, depending on the apprenticeship you are working towards. It can include:
Learning new skills at work through shadowing other members of the team
Applied learning in the workplace - applying your newly learned skills to real problems and challenges
Coaching sessions with your Multiverse coach
Attending teaching sessions and workshops delivered by Multiverse
Completion of on-programme exercises or projects
Training for new skills, relevant to the apprenticeship, in the workplace
Self-study that includes reading, watching videos or other materials relevant to your apprenticeship
How many OTJ hours do I need to do per week?
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) minimum required amount of OTJ for apprentices is 6 hours per week for a full-time employee (working 30h+/week). Whilst the ESFA have defined the minimum requirement, some apprenticeships will need more than 6h/week OTJ to achieve the standard’s Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) in the timeframe of the apprenticeship.
The exact amount of OTJ planned for your apprenticeship is included in your Training Plan, which you will receive at the start of your apprenticeship.
How is the amount of OTJ I need to do calculated?
If you started your apprenticeship before August 2022, your OTJ is calculated as 20% of your contracted working hours.
If you started your apprenticeship in August 2022 or beyond, your OTJ is determined by the apprenticeship you are doing. You can see your OTJ target on your Training Plan.
How do I track my OTJ?📈
You can easily log your OTJ on your MyMultiverse or Applied Homepage.
Your tracker will tell you how many hours of OTJ you’ve completed so far and how much OTJ time is due.
After you’ve completed an OTJ-related activity, you’ll need to formally log it including the task, category and time spent on the activity.
When logging your OTJ, you’ll be prompted to select a category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to confirm I've completed tasks during work hours?
This is a compliance requirement from the ESFA. Your employer should ensure you have time within your working hours to complete your apprenticeship.
If I work shifts and a learning event is planned for my day off, can I attend this and log this as OTJ?
It is a compliance requirement that all OTJ takes place during working hours. However, if your employer agrees to give you time back in lieu, this can be logged as this represents a rearrangement of working hours. Please note: you should agree on this with your employer in advance to ensure it complies with company and legislative employment policies.
Does OTJ adjust in the case of bank holidays or annual leave?
Your OTJ tracker does not know when your planned leave is, and hence will increase at the same rate each week, regardless of holidays. You are therefore encouraged to build up a buffer so that you don't have to catch up on your return.
What happens if I fall behind on OTJ?
You are encouraged to keep on top of your OTJ, as this can quickly become difficult to make up retrospectively. You cannot be behind on OTJ at your gateway date, or you will not be able to complete the apprenticeship.
Should I log OTJ after my Gateway?
No - your Gateway date marks the end of your planned learning period for your apprenticeship. You should not log OTJ after this date.
Need further support? If you have a query that isn't answered here, or you believe your OTJ tracker is showing incorrect hours, our dedicated Support Team will be happy to assist. You can contact the Support Team by clicking the chat widget in the bottom right-hand corner of this page.