Overview

When you embark on your apprenticeship journey, your manager plays a critical role in setting you up for success. Before you dive into the application process, it's essential to have a conversation with them. Not only will this help you both align on expectations, but it will also ensure your manager is prepared to answer several key questions during the application. Here's what they will be asked:

Your manager will be asked if they support your attendance at all mandatory learning sessions and coaching workshops associated with your apprenticeship. It's crucial that they agree to prioritize these learning activities during your work week as failure to attend these sessions may jeopardize your participation in the programme.

Your manager will also be asked if they support you dedicating approximately 6 hours per week for off-the-job training (OTJ). This time is essential for applying what you learn in practical settings, such as workshops, one-on-one coaching, and project work. Off-the-job time is a key part of apprenticeship regulations. You can learn more about what OTJ is here.

Your manager will also need to confirm if they believe you will be able to apply the skills you gain during the apprenticeship to your role effectively. It’s a good idea to discuss the learning outcomes together and explore opportunities for you to implement your new skills in current or future projects, even if it means supporting other teams. You can find information on the learning outcomes for each programme here.

Depending on the specific apprenticeship program you're applying for, your manager will need to affirm if you will have access to the necessary data and/or tools to utilize your learning effectively. Be prepared to provide details about the programme you're interested in, whether it’s in Data, AI, Business Transformation, or Software Engineering, to facilitate this discussion. You can find more details on each programme here.

Lastly, your manager will be asked if they can attend and actively participate in quarterly progress reviews. These reviews are an essential component of your apprenticeship, providing both of you with opportunities to reflect on your progress and set goals for the upcoming quarter while fulfilling government apprenticeship regulations.