OTJ (off the job) hours - how many? And how to add to Aptem?

Learners need to document their off-the-job (OTJ) hours in Aptem (mentors cannot do this).  These are for activities that you have completed specifically at work.  To add them, follow the following procedure:

1.  Go to the 'Off-the-Job Hours Record' option in your Learning Plan.  *This will always be in the section for the current calendar month*.
2.  Within this activity you will find a downloadable form under 'Documents'.
3. Each time you complete a task back in your workplace that relates to your apprenticeship, keep a note of it on your Off-the-Job Record.
4. It is only activities you complete at work that you need to add (not e-learning or other online activities).  For instance you do not need to add topics that you've read in the Resource Centre or elsewhere in Aptem.
5. Ensure that you have the most up-to-date version of your recording spreadsheet attached to this activity for your Learning Coach to review (upload the updated and saved document).
6. Your Coach will validate your record with you and make sure that the hours show on your dashboard.

How many hours do you need to complete?

All programmes are designed on the basis that learners working 30 hours or more per week complete an average of six off-the-job (OTJ) hours per week, regardless of programme level. The planned OTJ hours is fixed at the start of the apprenticeship, forms part of the apprenticeship agreement and training plan and cannot be changed unless there was a data input error at enrolment. Programme duration is determined by the total OTJ hours required, meaning higher-level programmes typically run longer, and learners working fewer hours may require an extended duration.

The six OTJ hours is an average, and learners may need to complete additional hours in some weeks to account for annual leave, sickness, or other short-term absences, which are not classed as a break in learning. While delivery can be flexed through progress reviews, the overall planned hours remain unchanged. It is not realistic or appropriate to expect learners to regularly or significantly increase weekly OTJ hours, as this may not be supported by employers and OTJ learning outside working hours would breach the apprenticeship agreement.

Learners may complete their total OTJ hours earlier than planned and progress to End-Point Assessment (EPA) sooner, provided this is agreed with and supported by the employer, and the minimum duration of the apprenticeship has been met.