Apprenticeships Support
Apprenticeships Support
Everything apprenticeships, all in one place.
Find out all you need to know about higher and degree apprenticeships.
Whether you are an apprentice studying at the University, an employer who employs apprentices training with us (or are considering it!), or a member of UEL staff who wants to quickly access the latest information on apprenticeship processes, this is our main repository for everything you need to know for every step of the apprenticeship journey.
This webpage has been divided into key ‘milestones’ for apprenticeships, including all the steps that occur before an apprenticeship is launched at the University, through to employer and apprentice induction, all the way up to the completion of End Point Assessment (EPA).
As we are publicly funded, the University is regularly updating its approach to apprenticeships to ensure it meets all government expectations and so this webpage will be regularly updated to ensure that you have access to everything you need to know, when you need it, all in one place!
We want to ensure your experience working with apprenticeships at UEL is as simple and stress-free as possible. If you have any suggestions or improvements, please contact the University’s Quality Assurance and Enhancement Team at qae@uel.ac.uk.
Milestone 1: Apprenticeship course design and quality assurance
All apprenticeship courses at the University of East London are underpinned by rigorous quality assurance and enhancement processes from the course design and the approval to deliver the course (known as ‘validation’), to continuous quality monitoring and formalised course modification processes. All apprenticeship quality processes keep employer and apprentice needs at the heart of the decision-making process in compliance with the latest government policy. This ensures we can develop a bespoke apprenticeship portfolio of courses that are attractive to all those involved while fulfilling our quality obligations as an apprenticeship training provider.
UEL contacts
- Louis Clark - Quality Manager (Apprenticeships) - lclark@uel.ac.uk.
- Charles Nyanzi - Quality Assurance and Enhancement Officer - cnyanzi@uel.ac.uk (for internal quality assurance queries).
- The Quality Assurance and Enhancement Team can also be contacted at qae@uel.ac.uk.
UEL resources
- UEL Quality Manual - Process-by-process descriptors of every quality assurance and enhancement process undertaken by the University (reviewed annually).
- Quality Forms and Guidance [Access to UEL staff only] Repository for UEL staff to access all templates, forms and guidance for the completion of quality assurance and enhancement processes.
External resources
- Apprenticeship Funding: Legal Agreement for Training Providers - Training provider agreement with the ESFA to pay training providers to carry out apprenticeship training.
- Ofsted Education Inspection Framework - The government framework that underpins the University’s apprenticeship academic quality processes.
- Apprenticeship Funding Rules - The government funding regulations that underpin the University’s apprenticeship financial compliance processes.
- Apprenticeship Training Provider Accountability Framework - The Department for Education’s key principles for quality assuring apprenticeships.
- Apprenticeship Accountability Statement - The roles and responsibilities of all government bodies involved in the quality assurance of apprenticeships.
- Apprenticeship Funding Bands - The full list of approved apprenticeships in England, including the cost for employers.
- ‘Skills for Jobs’ white paper - The latest government strategy for growth in apprenticeships nationally.
- Apprenticeship achievement rates ambition - Government objectives for achievement rates for apprenticeships nationwide.
- Provider Guide to Delivering High-Quality Apprenticeships - A DfE guide and checklist for apprenticeship training quality.
Downloads
Milestone 2: Apprenticeship Staff Development
At the University of East London, we are committed to ensuring that all our staff who deliver and support our apprenticeship courses are fully aware of how, as a university, we can provide the highest quality apprenticeship experience to all our external stakeholders. In addition to the contents of this webpage, this section also provides some additional resources our UEL staff can access to increase their confidence in apprenticeships.
UEL resources
- 'New to Teaching' Moodle course [Access to UEL staff only] - Designed by the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT), this course has been designed for practitioner-turned-academic staff and includes a Q&A session with the Quality Manager (Apprenticeship Compliance).
- ‘How to Deliver Good Quality Apprenticeships’ webinar - A staff training event led by the Employer Partnerships Office (EPO) in National Apprenticeships Week 2023, available on demand.
External resources
- ETF Apprenticeship Workforce Development programme - A free government-approved online self-paced CPD course staff are encouraged to enrol on to increase their confidence in apprenticeships.
Milestone 3: Talent Gateway and Information for Potential Employer Partners
UEL has been delivering apprenticeships since 2016; initially within the sectors of engineering and computing but due to the success of these apprenticeships and rapid organic growth we have grown our portfolio into all of our Schools offering apprenticeships that meet the economic demands of our community and wider employers. Our employer engagement strategy is to put the employer and apprentice at the heart of everything we do to ensure that the programme is correct for all parties on day one and then to monitor this via Tripartite Progress Reviews (TPRs) periodically involving the apprentice mentors to ensure a successful journey with UEL towards completion and End Point Assessment (EPA).
Apprenticeships at UEL
- Level 4 Digital Accessibility Specialist - (Non-Degree Qualification)
- Level 4 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner - (Non-Degree Qualification)
- Level 5 Nursing Associate (NMC 2018) - Non-Degree Qualification
- Level 6 Chartered Manager - Non-Integrated Degree
- Level 6 Civil Engineer - Non-Integrated Degree
- Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Professional - Integrated Degree
- Level 6 Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist - Non-Integrated Degree
- Level 6 Midwife (NMC 2019) - (Non-Integrated Degree)
- Level 6 Occupational Therapist - Integrated Degree
- Level 6 Physiotherapist - Integrated Degree
- Level 6 Podiatrist - Integrated Degree
- Level 6 Registered Nurse (NMC 2018) - Integrated Degree
- Level 6 Teacher - Non-Degree Qualification
- Level 6 Youth Worker - Integrated Degree
- Level 7 Academic Professional - Non-Degree Qualification
- Level 7 Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist - Integrated Degree
- Level 7 Senior People Professional - Non-Degree Qualification
- Level 7 Sustainability Business Specialist - (Integrated Degree)
Pending apprenticeships at UEL (subject to validation)
- Level 7 Chartered Landscape Professional – Non-Degree Qualification
- Level 7 Senior Leader – Non-Degree Qualification
Downloads
- List of existing UEL Partnerships
- Role of the employer in apprenticeships
- UEL Employer Engagement Strategy 2022
Useful UEL contacts
- Charlie Goodings: Strategic Employer Partnerships and Apprenticeships Manager c.goodings@uel.ac.uk
- Hadleigh Miles Efrain Solorio: Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement Manager (Health, Sport and Bioscience) h.miles-solorio@uel.ac.uk
- Joanne Molyneux: Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement Manager (Business and Law) j.molyneux@uel.ac.uk
- Jennifer Bedingham: Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement Manager (Education and Communities) j.bedingham@uel.ac.uk
The Talent Gateway Team can also be contacted at degreeapprenticeships@uel.ac.uk.
- Apprenticeships at UEL Official UEL homepage for employers to express interest in enrolling their staff on an apprenticeship at UEL
- Talent Gateway - Official UEL homepage for the Talent Gateway division of the Employer Partnerships Office.
Milestone 4: Employer Onboarding
UEL place the employer and apprentice at the heart of what we do. From initial contact to enrolment we ensure that both the employer and apprentice are briefed by our team of Employer Engagement Managers to ensure that all aspects are explained for clarity, we want to ensure that the programme is correct for the apprentice and employer’s goals and that the learning journey is a smooth as possible.
We cover various aspects in our inductions (remotely or in person) including duration, commitment, delivery model, Off-the-Job (OTJ) hours, reality checks, Digital Apprenticeships Service (DAS) set-up, enrolment platforms and the support functions/facilities at our fantastic campuses available to all students. Our aim is to provide clear and concise information at all stages of onboarding with UEL.
Downloads
- Employer Induction Checklist
- Employer Confirmation of ‘Recruit an Apprentice’ support
- Service Level Agreement Template
- End Point Assessment Costing Model
UEL resources
- Aptem - Official apprentice learner management platform used by UEL which your organisation will have an account set up with during employer onboarding.
External resources
- Employer Digital Apprenticeships Service - Commonly known as ‘DAS’, the official government platform where you will manage your apprenticeship levy funding and payments to UEL for the apprenticeship. You can both register and sign in via this link.
- Employer-DfE Apprenticeship Agreement – The agreement all employers need to hold with the Department for Education to pay training providers to carry out apprenticeship training.
- Levy Transfer Guidance – ESFA guidance for large employers about transferring unused apprenticeship levy funds to another business to pay for their apprenticeship training and assessment.
- Apprenticeship funding – DfE guidance on how the government funds apprenticeships in England, including details of funding bands and the apprenticeship levy
- How to Register and Use the Apprenticeship Service as an Employer - DfE guidance on how to use the apprenticeship service to access funds to pay for apprenticeship training.
Milestone 5: Apprentice Onboarding
Once you have onboarded with UEL as an employer-partner, you are ready to begin registering apprentices with us! These could be either existing staff in your organisation or completely new recruits who will start their employment with you at the same time as their apprenticeship. Whether you are the employer or the onboarding apprentice, here you can find useful advice and guidance around the UEL apprentice onboarding process and how it slightly differs to the typical course admissions process.
Downloads
- Apprenticeship Enrolment process
- Apprenticeship induction documentation checklist
- Apprenticeship Care Leaver Bursary Declaration (2023-24)
- Skills Radar Rankings Explained (for Apprentices)
- Student Suitability Declaration Form (Nursing Apprenticeships only)
- UEL Acceptable Eligibility Documentation (2023-24)
UEL resources
- Enrolment – official webpage for enrolment at the University of East London
- Your First Week at UEL – official webpage for induction guidance at the University of East London
- Accreditation of Prior and Experiential Learning (APEL) Policy - UEL policy relating to accrediting a learner’s prior attainment (academic or experiential). Available under Student Policies.
External resources
- Recognition of Prior Learning – DfE guidance on the assessment of apprenticeship applicants’ prior learning and experience, including how to record prior learning and calculate price reductions.
- DfE information about possible reasonable adjustments for apprentices with learning difficulties and disabilities.
Milestone 6: Functional Skills
As a requirement of any apprenticeship course’s End Point Assessment (EPA), UEL has an obligation to make sure that every apprentice holds level 2 functional skills qualifications in English and mathematics. For those who enrol on our apprenticeship courses without these qualifications beforehand, UEL is able to offer training in the relevant skills alongside (or as a prerequisite to) apprenticeship training to ensure every apprentice achieves their full apprenticeship with ease. Here you can find information all about our functional skills offer.
Milestone 7: Apprenticeship Coaches and Support
Downloads
Apprentice Restrictions for UEL Student Services – A list of student services which apprentices are ineligible due to restrictions outside of UEL’s control, with details of alternative support available.
Milestone 8: Off-the-Job Training
For any apprentice training in England, the Government states that your course must be underpinned by an integrated method of work-based learning, known as ‘off-the-job training’. As government-funded courses, UEL has an obligation to work with every apprentice and their employer to make sure that not only is the apprentice receiving sufficient off-the-job training throughout their entire course, but also that records to evidence it is occurring exist. This section will explain the general principles of off-the-job training but how this applies to specific apprenticeships will be explained by the course team.
Downloads
- ‘What counts as off-the-job training?’ helpsheet
- Off-the-job training log (Template/Example)
- How to write an off-the-job training log
- Off-the-job training log process for paper-based logs
- Employer confirmation form for off-the-job training logs
External resources
- Off-the-Job Training Guidance. Government guidance on what underpins UEL principles of off-the-job training, including official definitions and examples.
Milestone 9: Careers and Employability
Per Ofsted requirements, all apprenticeship training providers such as UEL have an obligation to offer impartial careers and employability advice to every apprentice. As the Careers-First university, we understand that the types of career advice apprentices may need will differ greatly from other types of students we have at the University, particularly given that every apprentice is already in employment. This section covers what support is available to you as an apprentice and how we can offer bespoke guidance for this stage in your career.
UEL resources
- Career Zone Guide [Intranet site]. The UEL repository for everything apprentices need to succeed in their career journey.
- Career Zone Guidance for Staff [Intranet site] Useful links and guidance for UEL staff to explore how better the Career Zone can support your apprentices and their careers/employability training needs.
External resources
- Association of Apprentices. A free social network for any apprentice to network with other apprentices across the country, engage in exciting events, access soft skills training courses, and more.
Milestone 10: Safeguarding and Fundamental British Values
Per Ofsted requirements, all apprenticeship training providers such as UEL have an obligation to create a safe learning environment and additionally develop apprentices as ambassadors of good safeguarding practice throughout the curriculum. Apprentices can expect touch-base conversations on safeguarding and British Values topics to appear regularly throughout their tripartite progress reviews but any queries or concerns the apprentice may have can be raised at any time, whether in relation to situations at work, at UEL or at home.
UEL resources
- The Prevent Duty at UEL – The University of East London’s Prevent Policy and Prevent Action Plan.
- Prevent and Safeguarding @ UEL [Intranet site] The UEL repository for everything apprentices need to know about the Prevent Duty, safeguarding, and keeping safe at UEL.
- Student Policies Guidance on UEL's approach to a range of different topics, including health and safety, sexual violence/misconduct, and fitness to study/practice.
- Student Support @ UEL All available resources and services available to apprentices as a student at the University of East London.
Milestone 11: Tripartite Progress Reviews
The Government regulates that every apprentice should receive a tripartite progress review (TPR) at least every 12 weeks on their apprenticeship; from start to finish. At UEL, we aim to schedule your first TPR within 42 days of your apprenticeship start date to confirm your apprenticeship is a right fit for you. After that, we tentatively schedule your TPR every 10 weeks, to take into account any last-minute changes that may result in having to reschedule the meeting, ensuring you never go more than 12 weeks without a review. TPRs can be scheduled online or in person but it is fundamental that apprentices and representation from both the employer and UEL are in attendance.
External resources
- Ongoing Apprenticeship Delivery Guidance Department for Education guidance on the continuous monitoring of apprentice progress throughout course delivery.
Milestone 12: Skills Radars
Every apprentice will be familiar with Skills Radars from the very start of their apprenticeship which form part of the initial assessment. Skills Radars are a function on Aptem that allows you, UEL and your employer to see just how far you have come in your confidence in your competency in the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprenticeship. It is a non-assessed self-evaluation that does not impact your position on the course but helps us to understand where our apprentices need further support and development leading up to End Point Assessment.
Milestone 13: Changes of Circumstance
For some apprentices, during your apprenticeship there might be occasions where you need to undergo alterations to your course, which is known as a ‘change of circumstance’. For example, perhaps you are taking a break in your course or changing employer. This section will provide you with all the information we need in order to process these changes should they arise throughout your course.
UEL resources
- Student Intermission, Withdrawal and Transfer Policy - Official UEL policy on withdrawals and breaks in learning.
- Study breaks and withdrawals | UEL intranet platform for learners to begin the process of a break in learning or a withdrawal from their course.
- Student Parents Policies | Official UEL policies and procedures aimed at students (inc. apprentices) who become pregnant, adopt a child, or take on parental responsibilities during their course.
Milestone 14: Apprentice and Employer Feedback
In order to continuously improve and enhance apprenticeship provision at the University of East London, collecting and acting on feedback from apprentices and employers all throughout the apprenticeship journey remain a key aspect of our processes. In this section you will find information related to how this is captured and how we have endeavoured to respond to feedback from apprentices and employers to provide you with the highest quality apprenticeship experience.
Downloads
Milestone 15: Apprenticeship Governance
Apprenticeship oversight at the University of East London falls under the Apprenticeship Compliance Sub-Committee (ACSC), chaired by the Dean of the School of Education and Communities and is comprised of academic staff and professional services staff which support the training and support of apprentices at UEL. ACSC reports directly into the Education and Experience Committee.
Downloads
Useful contacts
- Quality Assurance and Enhancement (QAE) | qae@uel.ac.uk (responsible for officering ACSC)
UEL resources
- UEL Committees | Homepage for the UEL Board of Governors and its sub-committees.
- Quality Manual Part 2: Responsibility for Quality Assurance and Enhancement | UEL guidance on the delegated responsibility for academic quality assurance and enhancement, including hierarchy of UEL committees.
Milestone 16: National Apprenticeship Week
Every year, the UK government organises National Apprenticeships Week (NAW); an opportunity for apprenticeship training providers to celebrate apprentices, their employers and all staff that make the delivery of apprenticeships at the University of East London possible. The dates of National Apprenticeships Week vary from year to year but typically occur at the start of the calendar year, around February/March.
- Employer Partnerships Office (EPO) degreeapprenticeships@uel.ac.uk. Contact the team today to express your interest in getting involved with the next National Apprenticeships Week!
UEL resources
- National Apprenticeships Week homepage for UEL.
External resources
National Apprenticeships Week | Department for Education’s homepage for all things National Apprenticeships Week
Milestone 17: Gateway
For any apprentice at the University of East London, you will be required undertake ‘Gateway’ prior to the completion of your apprenticeship. Gateway at UEL takes the form of a final tripartite progress review and in effect, is a declaration that you are professionally competent in all the knowledge, skills and behaviours described in your apprenticeship standard and that you are ready to undertake End Point Assessment (EPA) to verify this.
Downloads
- A Guide to Apprenticeship Gateway | A presentation for both apprentices, employers and UEL staff on the basics of the apprenticeship gateway process.
External resources
- Apprenticeship Gateway | Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) guidance on the apprenticeship gateway process.
Milestone 18: End Point Assessment and Achievement
You’re almost there! Once you have passed Gateway, the last stage of your apprenticeship is your End Point Assessment (or ‘EPA’). An EPA is a nationally standardised final assessment that every apprentice in the country undertakes at the end of their apprenticeship. This means that any employer, anywhere in the country, understands that any graduated apprentice in a specific occupation holds the professional competencies, meaning your knowledge, skills and behaviours can be applied anywhere nationwide.
End Point Assessment Plans
Delivered by UEL:
- Level 5 Nursing Associate (NMC 2018) | Approved to deliver since 19 Aug 2021
- Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Professional | Approved to deliver since 13 May 2019
- Level 6 Midwife (NMC 2019) | Approval to deliver pending
- Level 6 Occupational Therapist | Approved to deliver since 31 Jan 2023
- Level 6 Police Constable | Approved to deliver since 28 Jul 2021
- Level 6 Physiotherapist | Approved to deliver since 6 Mar 2023
- Level 6 Public Health Practitioner | Approved to deliver since 6 Mar 2023
- Level 6 Podiatrist | Approved to deliver since 06 Mar 2023
- Level 6 Registered Nurse (NMC 2018) | Approved to deliver since 19 Aug 2021
- Level 6 Youth Worker | Approval to deliver pending
- Level 7 Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist | Approved to deliver since 10 Jul 2023
- Level 7 Sustainability Business Specialist | Approval to deliver pending
Delivered by third parties:
- Level 4 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner | Delivered by 1st For EPA, ltd. | Approved to deliver since 23 Mar 2022
- Level 4 Digital Accessibility Specialist | Delivered by the British Computer Society (BCS): The Chartered Institute for IT | Approved to deliver since 4 Apr 2023
- Level 6 Chartered Manager | Delivered by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) | Approved to deliver since 1 Jun 2017
- Level 6 Civil Engineer | Delivered by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) | Approved to deliver since 1 Mar 2018
- Level 6 Civil Engineering Site Management | Delivered by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) | Approved to deliver since 1 Jul 2018
- Level 6 Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist | Chosen EPAO to be confirmed.
- Level 6 Teacher | Delivered by Tes Institute | Approved to deliver since 1 Aug 2018
- Level 7 Academic Professional | Delivered by AdvanceHE | Approved to deliver since 1 Sep 2019
- Level 7 Senior People Professional | Delivered by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) | Approved to deliver since 1 Jun 2022
External resources
- Finding an End Point Assessment Organisation - DfE guidance for UEL staff and employers on supporting their selection of EPAO for our non-integrated degree apprenticeships.
- Understanding End Point Assessments | Government guidance for employers on end point assessments.
- Preparation for End Point Assessment | Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education guidance on the EPA process.
- De-designation of QAA as the designated quality body in England | Government response to the designation of DQB from the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) to the Office for Students (OfS) as of April 2023.
- Register of External Quality Assurance Providers for EPA | Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education-approved providers to undertake external quality assurance of UEL’s EPA processes.
- EPAO guide to assessing apprenticeships | The government’s best practice guide for apprenticeship EPAOs.
- Support your apprentice through EPA | The government’s best practice guide for employers on how to support your apprentice through EPA.
- Joining the APAR as an EPAO | How EPAOs join the apprenticeship provider and assessment register (APAR).
- EPA Methods Explained | A helpful introductory video by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) on the different assessment methods you may experience in EPA.
- Regulation of EPAs | Confirmed apprenticeship end-point assessments (EPAs) for standards regulated by Ofqual.
- Apprenticeship EPA Statistical Report (Oct 2023) | Ofqual report on the volume/outcomes EPAs undertaken in England from March 2022 to February 2023.
- EPA Guide to Apprentices | A guide for apprentices on everything you need to know about End Point Assessment (EPA). Produced by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)
Milestone 19: External References
External resources
- University of East London: Ofsted Reports - Ofsted reports for the University of East London’s apprenticeship provision
- Find an Apprenticeship Training Provider: Reviews of UEL - Reviews published on the Department for Education’s Find an Apprenticeship Training Provider service for the University of East London.
- Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers - Otherwise known as the ‘RoATP’, the official register declaring the University of East London as an approved training provider for apprenticeships.
- Register of End Point Assessment Organisations - Otherwise known as the ‘RoEPAO’, the official register declaring the University of East London as an approved end point assessment organisation for apprenticeships.
- ESFA Complaints Procedure - If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of your apprenticeship experience at the University of East London and feel that this has not been resolved once complaints have been escalated via our formalised processes, you can raise a complaint to the ESFA. Note that the ESFA will not handle any complaints that have not been escalated to us internally first.
Milestone 20: Internal UEL Staff Apprenticeships
Are you a member of staff interested in undertaking an apprenticeship? For both new and experienced members of staff, the University of East London is keen to hear from you if you would be interested in converting your role into an apprenticeship. Converting your job into an apprenticeship will not affect your pay but will allow you to undertake a UEL-funded course integrated into your workplace responsibilities.
If you are interested, first take a look if you there is an applicable apprenticeship standard that mirrors your work responsibilities by consulting the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education website.
If you identify an apprenticeship standard that you are interested, please contact HR Services at HRHub@uel.ac.uk who can discuss your enquiry in more detail.