Mentoring is, and has been for centuries, the foundation of vocational training and apprenticeships, yet this standard is the first formal recognition of this role.
Nowadays, mentoring takes place in all parts of the Education and Training Sector and staff-development. Learning mentors support colleagues and peers of all ages, and all levels, to develop within a new work role. These learners may be, for example, apprentices, trainees or new recruits in the workplace.
The purpose of the Learning and Skills Mentor occupation is to support individuals and groups with their learning and development towards agreed goals. Ideal for those who are looking for their next step up into leadership and management, applicants may already be in a team leading role or have a team that they supervise on a daily basis.
They will work collaboratively with stakeholders to inclusively meet the individual needs of their team. They will be committed to their own professional development and reflective practice as a mentor and within their sector.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Learning and skills mentors will have sector-specific experience and qualifications, as determined by their employer or professional body, which they will use to guide and advise those who are less experienced and new to a work role.
The Learning Mentor is therefore a ‘dual professional’ having both up-to-date knowledge and skills in a specialist vocational or subject area, together with the generic skills necessary to support learners (as potentially a first step towards a secondary role as an education and training professional).
You will learn how to plan, conduct and record activities with your team or individual to support their progression. You will learn the tools and techniques to support your mentee/s and make desired changes to suit their needs - demonstrating that you recognise what their needs and wants are.
You will learn how to offer advice and guidance to your mentee/s and establish rigorous evaluation processes to support reflection on effectiveness of the mentorship.
Learning and skills mentors therefore support the development of learners’ knowledge, skills and behaviours, throughout their programme, particularly in applying theoretical learning in practical work environments (and usually on a one-to-one, or small group, basis). They give practical, technical and/or pastoral support and guidance.
HOW WILL I BE TAUGHT?
You will be taught 100% in the workplace and college tutors will regularly visit to monitor your performance. You will complete tasks and activities to develop your skills as a mentor including independent study abilities and team working skills.
WHAT CAN I DO NEXT?
The Learning Mentor could progress further within their vocation specialism and/or into roles involving the assessment and coaching of vocational learners. They may also be eligible to progress onto a full teaching role within an education and training provider organisation.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW?
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 12 months.
What is an end-point assessment and why it happens
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 12 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
fail
pass
merit
distinction
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
All apprenticeships require an initial assessment, interview and employment in the industry. Level 4 applicants are required to hold a GCSE Grade C or grade 4 or above in Maths, English and ICT (or equivalent) or be prepared to work towards Maths, English and ICT Level 2 Functional Skills.
