This 3-page document from Somerset Skills & Learning provides information for employers on training partnerships, qualifications, apprenticeships, and supporting learner progression. It outlines the employer agreement, qualifications framework, apprenticeship standards, reviewing learner progress, complaints process, and opportunities for employer promotion. Employers can contact Somerset Skills & Learning to discuss training needs, apprenticeship programmes, and gaining publicity through case studies.

1. Employer's
PART 2
Training Reference
This section of the Skills Training Reference will provide you with
information on the training journey. It includes information on
the new qualification framework and the procedures used to
manage the learner processes.
Somerset
Skills & Learning
Providing skills & training for Businesses across Somerset
make your move
www.learnsomerset.co.uk

2. CONTENTS Somerset
Skills & Learning
Page
The Training Partnership Agreement 1
How the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) is structured 2
Apprenticeship Frameworks 3
How are work-based qualifications structured? 4
Progression Routes & Continuing Professional Development 5
Training in Partnership - Free Publicity for your Business 5
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3. THE TRAINING Somerset
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT Skills & Learning
Before starting the training journey SS&L cement the partnership with an Employer Agreement.
The aim of the agreement is to provide the structure for an effective arrangement, with each partner
understanding what will be expected and included. SS&L and the employer both sign the
agreement and retain a copy.
Different programmes have different requirements, but typically an Employer Agreement will include:
Information on funding schemes, incentives and grants available to employers and where an
employer contribution towards the cost of the training is required what this will be and how it is
to be paid.
Staff supporting the training
SS&L will provide a named Training Officer/Assessor and internal verifier for each learner. The
employer will provide a named supervisor and mentor for each learner who will be responsible
for the learner’s progress on the programme.
Training induction
SS&L will undertake initial assessment to ensure learners are recruited onto the correct level of
programme and provided with the right support to ensure the completion of the programme.
The employer will need to provide good quality on the job training, practice and support to the
employee/apprentice. New recruits will need to undertake a complete workplace induction with
the employer to include health and safety, welfare issues, absence and sickness procedures.
Off the job training
SS&L will identify the days, dates and venues when learners will need to attend training.
The employer will agree to release the learner for the training.
On the job training
SS&L will provide ongoing assessment and verification to the standards and timescales detailed in
the assessment strategy. Employers will enable the Assessor to have access to the learners work
practice. The employer will also provide expert witness statements about the learner’s performance
by an occupationally competent person and support the learners to build a portfolio of evidence.
Health & Safety
Somerset Skills & Learning (SS&L) has a responsibility to insure all its learners work in environments
that provide for their Health, Safety and Welfare.
You can find more details in part 3.
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4. HOW THE QUALIFICATION
AND CREDIT FRAMEWORK (QCF) Somerset
Skills & Learning
IS STRUCTURED
Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF)
Vocational qualifications are changing to help employers develop the skills their business needs. The
QCF is the new framework for creating and accrediting qualifications in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland. They have been designed by employers and Sector Skills Councils to ensure workers have
the right skills and knowledge to do the job. Sector specific information on frameworks can be
obtained by clicking on www.learnsomerset.co.uk and selecting your industry link
Employers benefit from:
• Improved retention rates and profitability
• Easier and effective succession planning
• In-house training linked to nationally recognised qualifications
• Motivated staff who reach their potential
These new qualifications focus on Choice, Clarity & Confidence:
Choice
• Qualifications built up from bite-size units
• Flexible training to fit business needs
Clarity
• Easy to understand and compare skills leading to career progression pathways
Confidence
• Designed with employers
• Relevant to your daily business needs
To watch a short video on how the QCF operates click
http://www.qcda.gov.uk/resources/qcf_intro_animation/QCF_main.html
"Prospects Events need to find good quality staff who can help to build our
portfolio of Events across the UK. Somerset Skills & Learning have
provided an excellent service for us and we have just recruited our third
Apprentice. Our first Apprentice, Alice Young, started in 2008 and has
recently been promoted from an administration position to our sales
department. We find that employing young motivated staff and giving
them a mix of working and training is of real benefit to them individually
and us."
Andrew Coates, Events Director, Prospects Events
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5. APPRENTICESHIP FRAMEWORKS Somerset
Skills & Learning
Apprenticeships are the preferred work-based learning route for all young people aged 16-24 who
are capable of achieving Levels 2 & 3. Approved frameworks are produced by sector specific
National Training Organisations and include meeting occupational standards at Level 2 for
Apprenticeships and Level 3 for Advanced Apprenticeship, Key Skills/Functional Skills at specified
levels and a Technical Certificate. Apprenticeship training is fully funded for 16-18 year olds and
part-funded for 19+.
Technical Certificates provide the underpinning knowledge to support the NVQs. Candidates
complete the Technical Certificates during their ‘off-the-job’ training. They may incorporate
Employment Rights and Responsibilities.
Employment Rights and Responsibilities have been specifically designed to guide the learner into
the world of work. The Training Provider and the Employer together will support the learner to
research ERR information.
ERR Components:
• Statutory Rights and Responsibilities
• Procedures and Documentation
• Information and Advice
• The Candidate’s Role and Occupation
• Career Pathways
• Representative Bodies
• Occupation, Training and Career Opportunities
• Organisation’s Principles and Code of Practice
KEY SKILLS / FUNCTIONAL SKILLS
From September 2010, functional skills in English, mathematics and ICT will replace the equivalent
Key Skills qualifications as a component of all Apprenticeship frameworks. These are the skills
needed in everyday life whether it’s at work, leisure or activities at home. They are a key to any
training undertaken at work, helping to perform better and more effectively in everyday tasks.
They include:
• Communication
• Information + Communication Technology
• Application of Number
• Improve Own Learning and Performance
• Problem Solving
• Working with Others
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6. HOW ARE WORK-BASED Somerset
QUALIFICATIONS STRUCTURED? Skills & Learning
HOW ARE WORK-BASED QUALIFICATIONS STRUCTURED?
All WBL qualifications are structured the same way and are made up of units. Each unit is made up
of a number of elements, which are considered ‘bite size chunks’ of the unit as a whole.
The elements show what needs to be done to achieve the unit. The range statement indicates the
opportunities/situations the learners are required to demonstrate their competence, within an
element.
The underpinning knowledge requirement indicates the knowledge and understanding needed to
support the activity. Evidence of providing knowledge and understanding may be gained from being
asked questions (oral or written) or completing assignments.
Performance Criteria (PC) are attached to each element. These describe how someone can do what
is described by the element to the required or expected standard. It is the PCs which form the basis
of decision on whether the learners are competent or not.
The learner must provide sufficient evidence to meet all the performance criteria in every element in
every unit. There are no set rules on how to organise the evidence, only that it is easy to follow and
that evidence is referenced to the standards. The Training Officer/Assessor will help and offer advice
/ guidance on issues relating to producing and organising evidence.
NATIONAL STANDARDS
MANDATORY UNITS OPTIONAL UNITS
ELEMENTS ELEMENTS
UNDERPINNING UNDERPINNING
KNOWLEDGE RANGE AND KNOWLEDGE RANGE AND
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
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7. PROGRESSION ROUTES &
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL Somerset
Skills & Learning
DEVELOPMENT
Individual Learning Plan (ILP)
The Individual Learning Plan (ILP) will be discussed individually and gives details of the agreed
qualifications, plus additional units, any support required, the locations for ‘on/off the job’ training
and the expected achievement date. Additional help will be given to achieve the qualification if
required, which may involve spending extra time with SS&L staff. You will be asked to sign the ILP
to confirm your support for the learner’s individual plan.
Review of Progress
Throughout the learner’s time with SS&L, the work and training will be regularly reviewed and
assessed to monitor the progress being made. There will be regular discussions with the Employer
& SS&L Assessor / Training Officer, at least every 12 weeks. These dates will be agreed with you in
advance. The Training Officer/ Assessor will note the progress and agree future targets for
achievement and explain what support you will need to provide to help the trainee achieve within the
time frame.
If things don’t quite go as planned
If you have a complaint regarding the programme or service provided by Somerset Skills & Learning,
you should speak to your Somerset Skills & Learning representative and your complaint will be
forwarded to the relevant manager. Do tell us right away so that we can do something about it.
If you are still not satisfied, please contact the Marketing & Business Development Manager on
01278 426828 or email busdevall@somerset.gov.uk.
Progression Routes & Continuing Professional Development
The learning curve continues after achievement. SS&L provides (CPD) and information on
progression routes to all learners on achievement. Our Business Development Team is able to
offer Employers advice on how to utilise the new skills developed by their staff to continually
improve the business. Talk to us on 01278 426828 or email busdevall@somerset.gov.uk
Training in Partnership - Free Publicity for your Business
The demand for ethical business to business is growing. You can promote yourself as a ‘Best Practice
Employer’ by featuring in a case study. We will use the feature in our own media and the South West
Training Providers Network http://www.swtpn.com/ Direct links to your own website are available so
that direct business to business is just one click away.
If you are an employer of apprentices you can also put the apprenticeship badge on your website,
publications and letterhead. To read more about the Employer’s Badge visit
http://apprenticeships.org.uk/Employers/Employers-Badge.aspx
To take part in the business to business case study promotion, contact the Employer
Engagement Officer on 01278 426828 or email busdevall@somerset.gov.uk
www.learnsomerset.co.uk
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