To ensure the success of your apprenticeships programme, you need to put the apprentice at the heart of the programme and build in effective and appropriate support mechanisms.
In particular, very young apprentices with no prior experience of the working environment will need extra support and pastoral care.
Providing the right practical support and guidance to an apprentice will help ensure they settle in well, develop within the University and help contribute to its success.
You can do this by:
- Providing a well-thought-through induction
- Giving apprentices a clear outline of expectations and a safe supportive environment to learn and develop
- Encouraging them from the start to own and drive their learning targets and to seek regular feedback to self-assess their performance
- Providing apprentices with the workplace experience needed to develop the skills and knowledge included in their apprenticeship
- Allowing time for their 20% off-the-job learning activities
- Supporting the completion of relevant projects
- Meeting with them regularly to provide feedback and review progress
- Being approachable and understanding
- Liaising regularly with the training provider
- Putting a workplace mentor in place to further support the apprentice