Off-the-job training is the structured learning an apprentice completes away from their normal productive duties, during their normal paid working hours. It is a required part of an apprenticeship in England and must develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the apprenticeship standard.
How much off-the-job training is required?
For apprentices who start on or after 1 August 2025, the old blanket 20% calculation no longer applies. Each apprenticeship standard now has its own published minimum number of off-the-job training hours.
- Florist Level 2 (ST0538): 439 minimum hours for compliance.
- Senior Florist Level 3 (ST1335): 370 minimum hours for compliance.
Relevant prior learning can reduce the required hours where it is properly assessed and evidenced. The training provider is responsible for setting out the individual training plan and making sure the funded programme remains compliant.
What can count?
Eligible off-the-job training can include theory teaching, practical training, coaching, workshops, online learning and time spent on assignments where the activity develops new knowledge, skills or behaviours required by the apprenticeship standard.
It can take place at the employer’s premises, with the training provider, at college, online or from home. What matters is the activity, not the location.
When must it take place?
Off-the-job training should normally take place within the apprentice’s normal paid working hours. If training exceptionally takes place outside those hours, the apprentice must agree and be compensated through additional pay or time off in lieu.
English and maths study, where required, is also completed in paid working time but is not counted towards the published off-the-job training minimum.
Planning the training
The employer, apprentice and training provider agree a training plan that records the planned learning, schedule, responsibilities and required off-the-job hours. Providers no longer have to automatically extend an apprenticeship just because an apprentice works part-time, although working hours must still be considered when setting a realistic programme.
