DfT Releases Off-The-Job Training Guide

The Department for Transport (DfT) has released a guide to help businesses better use off-the-job training for LGV and Urban Driver apprenticeships.

The guide gives an overview of what constitutes off-the-job training, how many hours of it are needed, and how it can fit in with a haulage business’ daily operations.

Off-the-job training, a legal requirement for apprenticeships, involves study conducted away from regular work duties focusing on theory and a broader understanding of the industry.

According to the guide, to be considered as off-the-job training, an activity must:

• teach new knowledge, skills or behaviours
• be directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard
• take place in the apprentice’s normal working hours

Examples of acceptable off-the-job training include:

· teaching theory

· practical training

· learning support and time spent writing assignments

· revision

You can find the guide HERE.

The guide also shows how training can be “front-loaded” to enable learners to gain their licence within the first six months of the apprenticeship.

DfT says that the new guide is ‘to get new drivers on the road as soon as possible.’