What makes an apprenticeship different from just studying for the qualification?

There are a few key differences:

With the apprenticeship there is an equal focus on the development of skills and behaviours rather than just focusing on the attainment of technical knowledge.

To achieve the apprenticeship you'll also need to complete an end point assessment to show you have learned and applied the full range of knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the apprenticeship standard. This will involve writing a 4,000 word project report to reflect on your recent and relevant professional work experience.

On an apprenticeship scheme, six hours per week must be spent in off the job training, including professional qualification study, assignments, shadowing, mentoring, and relevant training. All off the job training must be relevant to the apprenticeship standard, teach new knowledge, skills and behaviours and undertaken in your normal working hours.

We cover a wide range of topics beyond just the technical qualification including skills and behaviours training, careers information, advice and guidance, safeguarding and British Values. If you need to undertake study towards maths and English qualifications, this will need to be done in addition to off-the-job training.