Overview

An apprenticeship is an on-the-job training programme that develops an employee's knowledge, skills and behaviours in order to perform in their job role. They are used to train both new and existing members of staff, and are designed be flexible in order to meet the needs of the individual and their employer.

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Damar Apprenticeships

There are hundreds of different apprenticeships available, across all sectors and industries. At Damar Training, we specialise in the business and professional sectors, offering apprenticeships in administration, customer service, law, management, travel, data protection and accounting. This specialism allows us to really understand the requirements of each apprenticeship standard, and the industries and employers that we work with.

Accounting Apprenticeships

Our AAT accounting apprenticeships at levels 2, 3 and 4 help you attract, develop and retain talent in your accountancy practice or finance team.

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Business Admin Apprenticeships

We are highly experienced in delivering the level 3 business administrator apprenticeship standard.

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Customer Service Apprenticeships

Use the level 2 customer service practitioner apprenticeship to improve your organisation's customer service levels.

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Data Protection Apprenticeships

Our data protection and information governance practitioner apprenticeships are perfect for new or existing colleagues in data protection teams.

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Management Apprenticeships

Our level 3 team leader/supervisor and level 5 operations/departmental manager apprenticeships help your managers become more effective.

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Paralegal Apprenticeships

Our paralegal apprenticeships help you attract, develop and retain new talent and provide a stepping stone to the solicitor apprenticeship.

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Solicitor Apprenticeships

Our solicitor apprenticeships have been built from the ground up for the solicitors qualifying exam (SQE).

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Travel Apprenticeships

Our travel consultant apprenticeships will help you attract, develop and retain talent in both the leisure and business travel sectors.

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If you are looking for a different type of apprenticeship, see the Find a Training Provider site for employers or the Find an Apprenticeship site for aspiring apprentices.

Standards

Over the last few years apprenticeship frameworks have gradually been replaced with apprenticeship standards. This involved a shift in focus from assessing to learning, with the new standards developed by employer-led groups, to better suit the needs of employers and the industry within which they operate. Each apprenticeship standard has a set of knowledge, skills and behaviours which the apprentice would need to become competent in, in order to achieve their qualifcation and perform in their job role. Competency is assessed during an end-point assessment, which is conducted by a different organisation to the training provider.

Levels

We deliver intermediate, advanced and higher apprenticeships. An intermediate (level 2) apprenticeship is broadly equivalent to five good GCSEs. An advanced (level 3) apprenticeship is the vocational equivalent of two A-Levels. We also offer higher apprenticeships (level 4 and above) in areas including management, accountancy and law.

Stages

Apprenticeship standards always take at least a year to complete and have three distinct stages:

Teaching and Learning

During this part of the apprenticeship the apprentice will work with their Damar coach and their employer to develop their knowledge and skills and put these into practice. Some apprenticeships have qualifications embedded within them (accountancy and law for example) and so the apprentice may need to take exams.

The exact delivery method varies according to the needs of the apprentice, the employer and the qualification but all of our apprenticeships involve blended delivery model, which combines 1:1 (virtual) visits and group coaching sessions with Damar coaches and expert tutors with online learning, webinars and e-tutorials delivered via our virtual learning environment, Damar OpenLearning. This gives apprentices access to more specialist teaching content and the flexibility to access content at times that suit them and the employer. All apprentices need to spend an average of at least six hours per week on their studies, taken during their normal contracted hours of work. This is the minimum, the actual range for most of our apprenticeships is six to eight hours a week.

Towards the end of this part of the apprenticeship the apprentice will assemble a portfolio of work showing how they are applying their skills and knowledge. They will also prepare for the interview and/or exam that usually forms part of the end-point assessment.

The Gateway

When the apprentice is able to show they are meeting the standard, there is a formal review meeting with the employer and Damar. This “gateway” meeting is the point at which the employer, Damar and the apprentice come together to agree that the apprentice is ready for the external end-point assessment that is the final stage of all apprenticeship standards.

End-Point Assessment

This is the apprentice’s chance to demonstrate their skills and knowledge to an external assessor. Appointed by the Institute of Apprenticeships, the end-point assessment organisation will carry out a final, independent review of the apprentice’s competence. Each apprenticeship has a slightly different end-point assessment but, in many cases, it includes:

A test (often online)
A review of the portfolio
An interview

Off-the-Job Training

All apprentices must spend time in their apprenticeship on off-the-job training. The amount required differs by programme and by individual but the minimum off-the-job training requirement is an average of at least 6 hours a week (during normal contracted working hours). This can be a challenge for some busy employers so if this is a concern, we can guide you through how to manage this and provide you with further information on what does and doesn’t count as off-the-job training. Generally, any activities that fall into the below categories would contribute to the off-the-job hours:

Theory – such as workshops, online learning, role playing and simulation exercises
Coaching visits, learning support and time spent completing apprenticeship work
Practical training apprentices wouldn’t usually do during the week – such as shadowing, mentoring, industry visits or competitions

Qualifications

Upon successfully passing the end-point assessment, apprentices have achieved their apprenticeship qualification. Some apprenticeships also include other accredited qualifications. For example:

Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)
Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualifications

Some apprentices also undertake functional skill qualifications in English and maths.

Recruitment

After we agree the job description and which apprenticeship standard is going to be the best fit, we advertise your vacancy and manage the initial recruitment process. We can screen candidates over the phone, ensuring that they have the right skills, qualifications and personal qualities that you are looking for. After you’ve selected which candidates you would like to see, we can also arrange these face-to-face or online interviews for you.

We provide high quality information, advice and guidance to candidates throughout the recruitment process. By ensuring that their CV accurately demonstrates they skills they have on offer and that they are fully prepared for their interview, we ensure that you can see the candidates’ true potential.

Once you have appointed the successful apprentice, we can manage the feedback process for the other candidates. We will also arrange the start date of their employment with you, and the launch visit for their apprenticeship qualification.

We have a dedicated recruitment team who have supported SMEs recruiting one apprentice, as well as large levy payers recruiting over 100 apprentices at one time. Whatever your apprenticeship recruitment needs, please get in touch to find out how we can support you.