To succeed In business today you need a skilled workforce. Investing and developing employees is key to making a business thrive and apprenticeships have fast become a great way to do that.. and to do it cost effectively.
OTMAs apprenticeships are focussed on developing the skills, behaviours and attitudes that build confidence and productivity as well as a ‘can do’ attitude among your staff . We support a wide range of apprenticeships that target key positions: travel consultants, sales executives, website and social content producers, team leaders and managers.
OTMA is a specialist training provider licensed by the Government through the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP). This means that we can help you draw down funding from the Apprenticeship Levy scheme to support the training of your staff. We’ll help you get that all set up too.
Read more about our apprenticeships services below:
OTMA Apprenticeships
How OTMA apprenticeships work
Apprenticeships are not just for young people or for those learning a trade. They cover most, if not all, industry sectors and are available to employees of all ages. Apprentices may start an apprenticeship after they have been in work for some time or may start a new job with the intention of joining an apprenticeship programme.
An apprentice’s salary is paid by their employer. Although most apprentices have permanent contracts, some are employed on an initial fixed term of, say, 18 months.
As well as doing their job, an apprentice is supported by their employer and OTMA to achieve the level of competence agreed by employers and the government as being right for their job – the apprenticeship “standard”.
Teaching, Learning and Training !
Apprenticeships are all about teaching, learning and training. During this part of the apprenticeship your apprentice will work with their OTMA tutor and their employer to develop their knowledge and skills and put these into practice. As they progress through the apprenticeship the apprentice will assemble a portfolio of work showing how they are applying their skills and knowledge. They will also prepare for the interview and/or exam that usually forms part of the end-point assessment (see below). We use a variety of teaching and training methods: virtual classrooms, work based observations, e-learning, video learning, coaching and learning reviews.
The Gateway
When the apprentice is able to show they are meeting the requirements of the apprenticeship standard, and you the employer are happy to proceed there is a formal review meeting with the employer and OTMA. This “gateway” meeting is the point at which the employer, OTMA and the apprentice come together to agree that the apprentice is ready for the external end-point assessment (EPA) that is the final stage of all apprenticeship standards.
End-Point Assessment
This is the apprentice’s chance to demonstrate their skills and knowledge to an external assessor. Appointed by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education , the end-point assessment organisation will carry out a final, independent review of the apprentice’s competence. Each apprenticeship has a slightly different end-point assessment but, in many cases, it includes:
• A test (often online)
• A review of the portfolio
• An interview
Results swiftly follow.
Functional Skills
These ensure that the apprentice has the standard of English and maths required for their job role and to enable them to gain the most from their apprenticeship. This element is assessed by way of a series of exams (plus a verbal test for English). Students with good GCSEs in maths and English may be exempt, but we continue to help them improve and strengthen their skills.
Planning an Apprenticeship
At the start of the programme, we plan the apprenticeship with the apprentice and their supervisor. We tailor the training by choosing content that closely matches the apprentice’s job. We also agree the likely timescale and consider any particular requirements.
We also offer training to support your line managers. This is specially relevant if they haven’t mentored an apprentice before.
Try our FREE Mentoring your Apprentice in the Workplace e-learning here.
Apprenticeship Delivery
The delivery method varies according to the needs of the apprentice, the employer and the qualification. Increasingly, we use a blended delivery model which combines 1:1 tutorial and review visits from the OTMA trainer with online learning, webinars and e-tutorials delivered via our virtual learning environment. This gives apprentices access to more specialist teaching content and the flexibility to access content when at times that suit them and the employer. Most apprentices need to spend around 20% of their time, or six hours a week, on their studies.
Progression for your Apprentice
For many apprentices, the apprenticeship is a stepping stone towards additional responsibility at work or, for some, further qualifications including university. As well as celebrating achievement, we always discuss progression with apprentices and their employers to ensure that the benefits of the apprenticeship are maximised.
What about apprenticeship funding and training costs ?
We’re adding new apprenticeship programmes throughout 2022-23 as we work with more and more apprenticeship employers. Book mark our page to keep up to date.
Interested in seeing a bit more of what we do ? Try some Apprenticetv channels to experience OTMA online and video learning resources or call us on 01634 799950.
