Learning Mentor Apprenticeship Level 3

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 (ETS) and staff-development contexts. A Learning Mentor (LM) will support learners of all ages, and all levels, to develop within a new work role. These learners may be, for example, apprentices, trainees or new recruits (ranging from young entrants, to new CEOs) in the workplace, or in any vocational learning environment.

As determined by their employer or professional body, LMs will have sector-specific experience and qualifications, which they use to guide and advise those who are less experienced and new to a work role. The LM 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).

LMs 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.

LMs collaborate closely with colleagues, other ETS professional, employers and/or human resource colleagues to meet learners’ needs and achieve their potential.

Who is the Course for?

The Level 3 Learning Mentor apprenticeship is designed to ‘upskill’ existing staff in Schools and Colleges, as well as other public and private sector organisations, who have a responsibility for staff/student development and wellbeing.

Apprentices will study aspects such as communication skills; information, advice and guidance; models of mentoring; assessment methods and how to track progress; how to set and monitor targets and action plans; working with colleagues and quality assurance models.

Professional Behaviours.

An Apprentice Learning Mentor will:

Promote an ethos of motivation, aspiration and a passion for learning
Operate at all times to ethical and legal standards and within professional boundaries
Value equality and diversity and work with others to improve equality of opportunity and inclusion
Be resilient and adaptable when dealing with challenge and change, maintaining focus and self-control
Demonstrate, encourage and expect mutual respect in all professional contexts

The Learning Mentor will be able to:	The Learning Mentor will understand:
Provide mentoring support	Procedures for effective mentoring
S1 advise, guide and supervise learners to acquire the most benefit from their learning programme	K1 effective practice in providing accurate and relevant vocational/pastoral advice and guidance
S2 communicate and collaborate effectively and use effective questioning, listening and assertiveness skills	K2 effective questioning, active-listening and assertiveness techniques
S3 work with education providers and workplace colleagues to plan and implement structured and meaningful learning and work experience	K3 learning programme requirements and the need to plan contextualised learning in authentic or realistic work settings with the learner support team
S4 liaise with assessors, coaches and/or teachers to facilitate formative and summative assessment of learners’ skills and knowledge	K4 the roles of assessors, coaches or teachers in providing practical help with assessment processes and requirements
S5 identify and refer issues relevant to learners’ progress and well-being, to education-providers and/or workplace colleagues	K5 who has a legitimate need to be kept informed of issues impacting on the learner’s well-being and progress
S6 collaborate with the wider education support team to review learners’ progress and to provide evidence of progress and achievement	K6 the mentor’s role in supporting the learner’s development and how to provide valid evidence of progress and achievement
S7 maintain appropriate records for the learning programme, complying with quality, confidentiality and data protection requirements	K7 organisational and legal requirements for recording, storing and sharing information on learners’ progress, needs and welfare
S8 liaise with relevant colleagues to support the implementation of learners’ action plans	K8 the roles of workplace and education provider colleagues who contribute to learners fulfilling their action plans
S9 be vigilant in safeguarding learners and others in contact with them	K9 how learners may become physically or psychologically at risk, and channels for reporting concerns
S10 maintain the currency of their vocational skills	K10 opportunities for continuing professional development
S11 comply with internal and external quality assurance requirements	K11 quality assurance requirements relating to the mentoring environment.

Learning and Assesment Style

The course is a mixture of classroom delivery and work based learning in the first six months before consolidating learning in the second six months.

Assessment will be as a result of a formative portfolio to evidence the standards and through receiving feedback before the end point assessment of two one to one observations and a professional discussion.

Information for Applicants

What are the entry requirements?

Employment within a relevant area for mentoring peers or students.

Individual employers may set any entry requirements which may include:

A strong aspiration to support learners.
(As a dual-professional) A qualification, at an appropriate level in the candidate’s vocational/subject specialism.
Recent experience and knowledge relevant to the context of the mentoring role (e.g. current industry standards).

Candidates may have achieved English, maths and ICT skills at Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE Grade C or above) prior to commencing their training. Those that have not must achieve this prior to taking the end-point assessment.

How often do I have to attend college?

College Attendance will be required during the first half of the apprenticeship and will be communicated post sign-up.

What awards will I achieve?

Level 2 Safeguarding
Level 3 Award in Mentoring

The above outcomes will be achieved before the end-point assessment.

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. Course progression opportunities may include Initial Teacher Education programmes such as the Level 5 Certificate of Education.

Information for Employers

What will this cost my business?

Since April 2017 the way that government funds apprenticeships in England has changed. All businesses operating within the UK with a wage bill of over £3 million are required to contribute to the apprenticeship levy monthly via HMRC.

If the levy applies to your business you will be required to pay 0.5% of your entire wage bill into the levy. This will be offset against a levy allowance worth £15,000 for each tax year
You will only be able to use your levy payment for government backed apprenticeships through providers who are registered on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers
Levy payments will expire after 18 months.

From April 2017 all existing apprenticeship frameworks and new apprenticeship standards (often referred to as trailblazer standards) will be allocated to Government funding bands.

Funding bands determine the maximum amount of money that Government will contribute for the training delivery and end-point assessment of each apprenticeship. All approved apprenticeship standards have already been allocated to funding bandings with maximum funding caps.

If you take on an apprentice who is between 16 and 18 years old at the start of their apprenticeship, you will receive a payment to help meet the extra costs of employing them. This will be paid to you through the training provider in two £500 instalments at 3 months and 12 months if the apprentice continues in learning beyond this point.

Non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 10% of the maximum funding band as published by the Skills Funding Agency for the delivery of training and assessment for their apprenticeship. Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account. Where there are no longer funds in this digital account the Government will co-invest 90% of the funding with the levy paying employer being the asked to contribute the remaining 10% on a monthly basis.

Levy paying employers can estimate their funding contributions through the use of the free Funding Apprenticeship Systems calculating tool.

The agreed funds will be taken from the employer’s digital account to pay the training provider, up to a maximum amount of funding allocated by Government to that particular apprenticeship.

For non-levy paying employers the Digital Apprenticeship Service will not be available until at least 2018. They will need to discuss and agree a price with their training provider.

Does the apprentice have to attend college?

College Attendance will be required during the first half of the apprenticeship and will be communicated post sign-up.

What about support in the workplace?

Skilled and knowledgeable staff must be available to support the apprentice as they complete work- based tasks and build a portfolio of supporting evidence.

Learning Mentor Apprenticeship Level 3

Level	Level 3
Location	Colchester
Duration	12 Months
Campus	Colchester Institute
Start Date	Starting employment as an apprentice can occur throughout the year however the start-date for attending college for training, where required, will be communicated post-employment and sign-up
Apprenticeship Funding Band (Levy paying employers)	£5,000
Employer Contribution Fee (Non-levy paying employers)	£500
What will this cost my Business?	Non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 10% of the maximum funding band as published by the Skills Funding Agency for the delivery of training and assessment for their apprenticeship. Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account.
Apprenticeship Funding Bands	Apprenticeship Funding Bands Employers with less than 50 employees who are recruiting an apprentice aged 16-18 years old will not be required to pay the contribution fee. Any associated cost to the individual will be made clear at the interview.

Applying for a Full-time Course and Apprenticeship Apprenticeship Enquiry Line: 01206 712 043 Apprenticeship Enquiry Line: 01206 712 043

Disclaimer

All Fees and prices shown on the website are for courses starting in the 2018-19 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.