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Guidance

Infographic (accessible): steps to help you determine whether an activity counts as off-the-job training

Updated 4 August 2026

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeships-off-the-job-training/infographic-accessible-steps-to-help-you-determine-whether-an-activity-counts-as-off-the-job-training

Steps to help you determine if an activity counts as off-the-job training

Is it directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard?

  • If no – this isn’t off-the-job training.
  • If yes – go to next question.

Is it teaching new knowledge, skills and behaviours?

  • If no – this isn’t off-the-job training.
  • If yes – go to next question.

Is it taking place within the apprentice’s normal working hours?

  • If no – this isn’t off-the-job training.
  • If yes – go to next question.

Does it exclude ineligible activities such as initial assessment and English and maths (see fact 3)?

  • If no – this isn’t off-the-job training.
  • If yes – this counts as off-the-job training.

Key facts

Key fact 1

Each apprenticeship standard has a minimum volume of off-the-job training hours which must be delivered. You can find this on the front of the standard. Providers can deliver more than this minimum. They can only deliver less (though not less than 187 hours) if the apprentice has relevant prior learning.

Key fact 2

Off-the-job training must be away from the productive job role, but this doesn’t mean it must be away from the workplace. Training can take place at the employer’s premises, off-site (for example, in a provider classroom) or at home (for example, distance learning).

Key fact 3

Time spent on initial assessment and onboarding, English and maths qualifications, training not required by the apprenticeship standard, progress reviews, examinations and other testing, and training which takes place outside the apprentice’s normal working hours does not count towards off-the-job training.

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