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Home / Guidance / Apprenticeship off-the-job training
Compliance · 2025–26

Apprenticeship off-the-job training

Apprentices must spend a minimum amount of their time on off-the-job (OTJ) training — learning new skills relevant to the apprenticeship, during paid working hours. It is a core funding rule and a frequent audit focus.

Minimum
≈ 6 hrs/week
Counts as
New skills, paid hours
Excludes
English/maths, reviews
Evidence
OTJ training log

What counts as off-the-job

OTJ includes teaching of theory, practical training, shadowing, projects and assignments — delivered during the apprentice's paid working hours. It excludes English and maths (funded separately), progress reviews, and any training done outside paid hours.

Recording and audit

Providers must plan, deliver and evidence OTJ training for each apprentice. Shortfalls are one of the most common apprenticeship funding-rules findings, so the OTJ log should be kept current.

Indicative summary only. Always confirm against the official source documents before making funding or compliance decisions.

Official sources

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