Establishing an apprentice’s starting point against these areas helps to tailor the programme. High levels of existing knowledge, skills and behaviours may result in the apprentice being deemed unsuitable for the programme.
What’s the initial assessment process?
Before starting the programme, all apprentices must pass eligibility and suitability screening checks which cover previous experience and programme content. Apprentices are asked a series of questions about their relevant experience and qualifications related to the knowledge, skills and behaviours on the apprenticeship programme. This includes a review their personal learning records and relevant training, qualifications and work experience already achieved.
Apprentices self-assess their competency against the apprenticeship standard, which is validated by a professional discussion between the trainer, apprentice, and employer. These steps confirm if the apprentice is on the right programme, their training needs, and any knowledge / skills gaps which inform their programme of learning including the duration of the programme and the content of the curriculum which is reflective of prior knowledge and skills.
Apprentices also complete an online maths and English initial assessment skills test to understand apprentice ability and requirements to support their learning, develop their maths and English skills and where applicable achieve the functional skills qualifications.
Prior learning is recorded in the apprenticeship training plan.
Why is initial assessment important for employers?
The initial assessment is vital to making sure the right apprentice is on the right programme. By establishing apprentice strengths and gaps in knowledge, skills and behaviours the programme can be adapted to address identified skills gaps, greatly increasing the return on investment from training costs.
Plus, recording the apprentice’s existing knowledge and competencies helps employers and apprentices understand their professional growth once the programme is completed.
To discuss apprentice recruitment in more detail, request a call back from the Lifetime team.