As part of your apprenticeship you are required to undertake off-the-job training.

Off-the-job training must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard and will help lead towards the achievement of your apprenticeship, teaching new knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) relevant to the standard.

The Department of Education has published a policy booklet on off-the-job training which can be found on the UK Government's website.

Off-the-job training is partly planned as the time you spend at Cranfield - in lectures, for example. If you are required to come to Cranfield at times you would not normally be working - for example, on a Saturday - you can count this towards your off-the-job activity, providing you receive time off in lieu from your employer, as off-the-job training can only be recorded during your paid working hours.

Off-the-job training is a statutory requirement of an apprenticeship and a record of this must be kept. It must be recorded by the student and there is a tool in your portfolio to facilitate this. Cranfield have also provided a spreadsheet to help you calculate the total number of off-the-job hours you require.

Off-the-job training could include:

  • The teaching of theory: lectures, role playing, simulation exercises, online learning or manufacturer training;
  • Practical training: shadowing, mentoring, industry visits and attendance at competitions;
  • Learning support and time spent writing assessments and/or assignments.

Off-the-job training does not include:

  • English and maths (up to level 2);
  • Progress reviews or on-programme assessment needed for an apprenticeship standard;
  • Training which takes place outside the apprentice’s paid working hours (unless you are allowed time off in lieu);
  • Training to acquire KSBs that are not required in the standard.

How many off-the-job activity hours do I need to do?

How do I prove I have completed off-the-job activity?

What sort of work within the workplace could count as off-the-job activity?

What are the standards and how can I find them?

What do I do with progress review documents?

What will be assessed as part of the degree apprenticeship?