Tips on utilising the 20% development time
Check out our top tips on getting the most from your 20% apprenticeship development time.
The apprenticeship 20% development time enables apprentices to learn outside of their day-to-day working role, but within their contracted working hours.
Learning must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship and could include lectures, online learning, practical training, mentoring, and writing assessments.
We understand that for apprentices it is not always easy to work this 20% development time into their busy roles, which is why we’ve pulled together some top tips on how to utilise this time.
Plan ahead
“I try to plan in all my webinars and activities ahead of time, then when I have more free time, I can spend it on the programme modules and activities.”
David Wright
Level 5 Coaching Professional Apprenticeship
Insurance Coach
BPP Education Group
Add the time into your calendar
You know that you’ve got a quieter week coming up and this is the perfect time to use your development time. Before you know it, your calendar can fill up and that free time you thought you had is now full. Be sure to add your development time into your calendar and set expectations.
Understand what contributes to your development time
“I’ve found that there are so many activities I do through the week that can already contribute towards the 20% development time – more than you think. It’s important to understand this.”
Janine Patterson
Associate Project Management Level 4
Lead Project Manager
TSB Bank plc
Balance your time
Development time doesn’t have to be taken as one full day per working week, it just has to be 20% of your working time as an apprentice – meaning you can be more flexible when it comes to balancing your day-to-day role and your development time.
Speak to your manager
“It’s not always easy but allowing some development time is very important. I encourage you to do this from day one and agree with your manager what this will look like.”
Arlene Jamieson
Level 5 Coaching Professional Apprenticeship
HR Coach
BPP Education Group
Work with your coach
As an apprentice you will work with a 1-2-1 coach who will take the time to review your progress and track your development time to ensure you’re correctly recording your off-the-job learning hours. Use this 1-2-1 time to reflect and assess your progress to make sure you’re utilising your time.
