Supporting degree apprentices is a highly valued, challenging and rewarding role – pulling on your leadership, mentoring and networking skills to make a real difference to the experience, and success, of your learner. This toolkit is designed to support you, as Employer Mentor / Line Manager, to navigate this journey. Please do let your Apprenticeship Coach know if there is any additional information or support that would be useful.
Academic Quality at Herts
Herts apprenticeship provision has been awarded an overall ‘Good’ by Ofsted across all the key categories of quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership & management (Ofsted, 2024).
The University also received an External Quality Assurance monitoring review by the Office for Students (OfS) for the Digital and Technology Solutions Professional apprenticeship end point assessment in 2025. A ‘Good’ judgement was made by the OfS in relation to that provision.
Did you know?
A recent apprenticeship survey* highlighted the top factors in supporting successful achievement of apprenticeships:
- Employer mentor support
- Access to Off the Job learning, facilitated by Mentor
- Support from training providers and tutors, working with Mentors
*St Martins Group (2022), Apprenticeship Outcomes and Destinations, October 2022 Report
“The most rewarding part is watching the mentee expand in both knowledge and confidence. I have long told my mentee how capable and proficient they are – which they struggled to accept – now they report feeling more confident in everyday work situations, they are putting themselves forward for strategic roles in the organization and getting noticed; this would not have happened before – and all because they feel more confident in their knowledge and ability to articulate themselves more succinctly”
– SLA Employer Mentor
3 top tips for being an Employer Mentor:
– Be present (carve out the time)
– Be consistent with meetings, giving feedback and support
– Be your authentic self – the more relatable you are, the more you both get out of the process
– SLA Employer Mentor
Key pages
Before you start
On Programme
Course Programme
Information
Supporting you and
your learners
Gateway
Aptem
Assistance