Learning and Development Practitioner

Learning and Development Apprentice's job includes identifying, creating and delivering appropriate training needs.

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  • Entry Requirements

    • 16 years or over.
    • Please contact our Apprenticeship team for further entry requirements.

  • Qualifications

    • End-point assessment
    • Level 2 English and math
    • Apprentices without Level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this prior to taking the end point assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. British Sign Language qualifications are an alternative to English qualifications for those for whom this is their primary language.

  • Duration

    The length of this apprenticeship should typically be 18 – 24 months.

  • Level

    3

  • Link to professional registration and progression:

    The successful apprentice may be eligible to apply for Associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) or any other professional body that recognises this apprenticeship within its membership criteria (membership is subject to the professional bodies own membership requirements).

  • Delivery

    A minimum of 30 hours of on the job training at work place per week including a day/ block release to study theory at our Uxbridge/Hayes/ Harrow campus.

Occupation Summary

L&D Practitioners are typically involved with identifying learning / training needs, designing / sourcing training and learning solutions, delivering and evaluating training, and working with stakeholder / business area managers.  The role focus is often on the practical delivery of training. The L&D Practitioner will typically have expertise and competence in their specific field whether it be technical, vocational or behavioural (e.g. use of software, food preparation, working in teams). They link the learning within their area of responsibility to business objectives and performance, understanding the learning cycle and working by it. The role can be more specialist, with a focus on and requiring in-depth expertise in a specific area of L&D such as learning design, e-learning or digital / blended learning. Whichever of these is an area of focus; the L&D Practitioner is future focused, understands the business context / culture and has a good grounding across the whole training and learning cycles.

The L&D Practitioner role typically exists in a wide range of organisations including private, public and third sector. The L&D Practitioner role supports the learning and development (L&D) function to contribute to, and influence, improved performance in the workplace at an individual, team and organisation level.  Typically, the role would work alongside colleagues who specialise in Human Resources (i.e. employee relations, reward, recruitment) often supported by an L&D Administrator (more junior role) and report to an L&D Business Partner / Consultant / Manager. L&D Practitioners often work with Subject Matter Experts in different parts of the business.

Link to professional registration and progression:

The successful apprentice may be eligible to apply for Associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) or any other professional body that recognises this apprenticeship within its membership criteria (membership is subject to the professional bodies own membership requirements).

Course Outline

During the apprenticeship programme, an apprentice will require to spend minimum 30 hours of on-the-job training.

The core modules include:

The L&D Practitioner will have an understanding of: Knowledge
  • Foundation level theories and models that underpin effective adult learning and group behaviour. For example, training/learning cycle, group dynamics, continuing professional development, evaluation.
  • How different learning delivery channels – face-to-face, blended or digital – contribute to effective learning.
  • How to measure the impact of a learning intervention on delegates, eg L1/L2 Kirkpatrick, improvement in skills.
  • The latest learning practice.
  • How diversity and inclusion influences the planning and delivery of L&D interventions.
 Technical expertise
  • What their organisation does, its structure, values and its external market and sector.
  • The commercial context and drivers and process behind learning needs and solutions.
 Business and Commercial understanding
  • The various L&D roles that may be required for effective learning and development in an organisation.
  • Their roles and responsibilities within the L&D structure.
  • The policies and processes required for effective organisation learning.
 L&D function
  • The role of data to analyse learning needs and ensure effective delivery.
  • Their roles and responsibilities within the L&D structure.How internal information systems can support learning.
  • How technology supports learning, including understanding of digital platforms / delivery channels as relevant.
 Management information and technology
The L&D Practitioner will be able to: Skills
  • Foundation level theories and models that underpin effective adult learning and group behaviour. For example, training/learning cycle, group dynamics, continuing professional development, evaluation.Identify and analyse learning needs: establish team and individual capability and learning gaps, in line with organisational performance outcomes and to enable effective evaluation.
  • Use sound questioning and active listening skills to understand requirements and establish root causes i.e. establishing that it really is a learning/training need, before developing L&D solutions.
  • Consult with stakeholders to draw out relevant information and provide feedback to inform learning and training needs requirements.
  • Use effective analytical skills to seek out and analyse information.
  • Take ownership through to resolution, escalating complex situations as appropriate.
 Identification of training/ learning needs
  • Design, construct and structure training / learning resources to meet a variety of needs, which will include:
  • Research of delivery options and resources including digital / online / blended solutions (including identifying existing resources)
  • Planning programmes / sessions / modules
  • Selecting appropriate delivery methods
  • Designing creative, engaging, appropriate, and inclusive learning activities (could be e-learning, digital collaboration, group sessions, blended etc.)
  • Developing materials and resources to support learning.
 Training / Learning Design
  • Confidently engage all learners in structured learner-centered training, primarily of ‘content-driven’ training resources.
  • Plan, organise and prepare for a training/learning event/intervention in a timely fashion.
  • Interact with learners of varying abilities, using a broad range of techniques and carefully planned and executed questioning techniques.
  • Facilitate and deliver learning in a face-to-face, blended and digital environment as appropriate.
  • Monitor a learner’s progress and deliver motivational and developmental feedback.
  • Manage participation, attitudes and behaviours to reach learning objectives.
  • Use effective coaching skills to enable learners to achieve learning objectives.
 Training/ Learning delivery
  • Evaluate the impact of learning solutions - measure and assess development initiatives for effectiveness, business relevance, efficiency, and continually seek ways to improve learning solutions.
  • Build evaluation mechanisms for learning outcomes including the use of quantitative and qualitative feedback where appropriate.
  • Apply techniques to analyse the impact of training from learners’ experience.
 Evaluation
  • Evaluate the impact of learning solutions - measure and assess development initiatives for effectiveness, business relevance, efficiency, and continually seek ways to improve learning solutions.Communicate and influence through a range of media e.g. phone, face-to-face, email, online / virtual, adapting their style to their audience.
  • Build trust and sound relationships with customers/learners/colleagues.
  • Handle conflict and sensitive situations professionally and confidentially.
 Communication and Interpersonal
  • Consistently support colleagues / collaborate within the team and L&D to achieve results.
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with others in the L&D team, HR and the wider business as required.
 Teamwork and collaboration
The L&D Practitioner will be able to demonstrate: Behaviours
  • Proactively look, listen and question to understand and learn.
  • An interest in new ideas and techniques, seeking and taking on board feedback, identifying areas for self-development.
  • A willingness to explore and take risks to learn something new.
 Constant and Curious Learner
  • Consideration of the needs of others alongside the needs of the business.
  • They act with integrity and demonstrate organisational values in the way they interact with others.
  • They deliver the outcomes of their work through co-design, with a willingness. to question and challenge as appropriate.
 Collaborative Partner
  • An energy and enthusiasm for their work, ensuring the focus is always on delivering the best learning outcomes and impacts.
  • Responsiveness and flexibility to changing business and learner needs.
  • Personal resilience to manage competing priorities.
  • Confidence in delivery.
 Passionate and Agile Deliverer
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