Learning Mentor Advanced Apprenticeship Standard

Course overview

The topics you will cover whilst training include: Knowledge and skills include the following: understand procedures for effective mentoring – providing accurate and relevant vocational / pastoral advice and guidance; show active listening, effective questioning and assertiveness techniques; plan contextualised learning in authentic or realistic work settings within the learner support team; know the role of assessors, coaches or teachers in providing practical help with assessment processes and requirements; know who has a legitimate need to be kept informed of issues impacting on the learner’s well-being and progress and know the mentor’s role in supporting the learner’s development and how to provide valid evidence of progress and achievement; know organisational and legal requirements for recording, storing and sharing information on progress and welfare; roles of workplace and education provider colleagues who contribute to planning; know how learners may become physically or psychologically at risk and channels for reporting concerns; opportunities for continual professional development and quality assurance requirements relating to the mentoring environment.

The learning mentor will also need to show how they provide mentoring support: advising, guiding and supervising learners to acquire the most benefit from their learning programme; communicate and collaborate effectively and use effective questioning, listening and assertiveness skills; work with education providers and workplace colleagues to plan and implement structured and meaningful learning and work experience; liaise with assessors, coaches and/or teachers to facilitate formative and summative assessments of learners’ skills and knowledge; identify and refer issues relevant to learners’ progress and well-being, to education- providers and /or workplace colleagues; collaborate with the wider education support team to review learners’ progress and to provide evidence of progress and achievement; maintaining records for the learning programme and complying with quality, data protection and confidentiality; liaising with relevant colleagues to support learners’ plans; be vigilant in safeguarding; maintain currency of vocational skills and comply with internal and external quality assurance requirements.


You will also cover and provide evidence for a range of ‘behaviours’ which includes: promoting the ethos of motivation, aspiration and a passion for learning; operate at all times to ethical and legal standards and within professional boundaries; value equality and diversity and work with others to improve equality of opportunity and inclusion; be resilient and adaptable when dealing with challenge and change, maintaining focus and self-control; demonstrate, encourage and expect mutual respect in all professional contexts.

Typical job roles include:
Mentoring takes place in all parts of the Education and Training Sector (ETS) and staff-development contexts. Learner Mentors support learners of all ages, and all levels, to develop within a new work role. These learners may be, for example, apprentices, trainees or new recruits (ranging from young entrants, to new CEOs) in the workplace, or in any vocational learning environment. They have sector-specific experience and qualifications, and use this to support the development of learners’ knowledge, skills and behaviours, throughout their programme, particularly in applying theoretical learning in practical work environments (and usually on a one-to-one, or small group, basis). They give practical, technical and/or pastoral support and guidance.

What else do I need to know?

On an apprenticeship programme you usually will work for a minimum of 30 hours a week for the employer and then have one day a week at college or designated time in the workplace.

Some job roles will require a DBS before starting, you will be advised at interview stage if this is required.

Whilst you are on an apprenticeship your employer pays you a salary, this includes all off the job training as well.