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, allowing individuals to gain a qualification at the same time as gaining work experience and earning a wage. The training is designed to 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.

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.

Accounting Apprenticeships

We offer accounting apprenticeships at level 2, 3 and 4.

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Business Admin Apprenticeship

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

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Customer Service Apprenticeship

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

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Data Protection Apprenticeships

The new data protection and information governance apprenticeship standard is a valuable qualification for public and private sector organisations.

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Management Apprenticeships

Use our level 3 team leader/supervisor or level 5 operations/departmental manager apprenticeships to upskill your managers.

Use our level 3 team leader/supervisor or level 5 operations/departmental apprenticeships to upskill your managers.

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Paralegal Apprenticeships

Find out more about how our paralegal apprentices play a vital role in many law firms and in-house teams, supporting qualified lawyers and advising on routine matters.

Find out more about paralegal apprentices play a vital role in many law firms and in-house teams, supporting qualified lawyers and advising on routine matters.

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Solicitor Apprenticeships

Find out more about our solicitor apprenticeships that have been built from the ground up for the solicitors qualifying exam (SQE).

Find out more about our solicitor apprenticeships that have been built from the ground up for solicitors qualifying exams (SQE).

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Travel Apprenticeships

Our unique travel consultant apprenticeship has been designed for new and existing staff in travel-related roles.

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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.

“Working closely with Damar, we have been able to adapt and develop our management apprenticeship programme to suit our specific business needs. Damar apply a blended training delivery model, which develops individuals at the right pace.”

Neil Wainwright-Farrar
Head of Learning & Development,
Clarity Business Travel