XPP Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships
Work-based learning programmes from Level 3 to Level 7, combining on-the-job experience with structured study towards professional qualifications.
How apprenticeships work
Apprenticeships are structured workplace learning programmes governed by a national standard set by Skills England. Each standard defines the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) an apprentice must demonstrate by the end of the programme — and everything in the learning plan is designed to build towards those outcomes.
Learning plan
At the start of each apprenticeship, the employer, apprentice, and XPP agree an individual learning plan. This sets out the pace of study, key milestones, and how learning will be scheduled around the apprentice’s working pattern. The plan is a living document, reviewed regularly through progress reviews throughout the programme.
Stages & modules
The learning plan is broken into sequential stages — broad phases of the programme — each containing a set of modules. Modules are the individual units of study: a topic, subject area, or practical skill that maps directly to one or more KSBs in the standard. Completing the modules in each stage builds the evidence needed to progress to the next, and ultimately to the End Point Assessment.
Off-the-job training
By law, a minimum of 6 hours per working week must be dedicated to off-the-job (OTJ) training — structured learning activity that takes place during normal working hours but away from day-to-day tasks. This includes attending taught sessions, completing assignments, working through e-learning, and any other activity directly linked to the apprenticeship standard. OTJ time is recorded throughout the programme and forms part of the evidence reviewed at gateway.
End Point Assessment
Once all modules are complete and OTJ hours are met, the apprentice progresses to Gateway — a readiness check by the employer and XPP. They then sit the End Point Assessment (EPA), conducted by an independent organisation. The EPA tests all the KSBs in the standard through a combination of assessments (such as a portfolio review, project presentation, or professional discussion) and awards a grade of Pass, Merit, or Distinction.
Apprenticeship standards and KSBs
Every apprenticeship in England is built around a national apprenticeship standard set by Skills England (formerly IfATE). A standard defines the occupational profile for a role — who it is for, what level it sits at, and crucially, the full set of Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) an apprentice must demonstrate to achieve occupational competence.
Each standard is identified by a reference number (for example ST0131 for the Solicitor standard, ST0138 for Paralegal) and is versioned — so when a standard is updated, existing programmes can continue on the version they enrolled against while new starts use the latest version. XPP links each programme directly to its standard reference, so employers and apprentices always know exactly which version of the standard they are working to.
K
Knowledge
The technical and theoretical understanding a person needs to perform the role effectively. Knowledge KSBs are typically assessed through written or oral questioning and professional discussion — demonstrating that the apprentice understands why, not just how.
S
Skills
The practical application of knowledge in real workplace situations. Skills KSBs are evidenced through observed practice, portfolios, and project work — showing that the apprentice can perform tasks to the standard required in a live employment context.
B
Behaviours
The professional conduct, attitudes, and values expected of a competent practitioner in the occupation. Behaviours are assessed through professional discussion and employer reference — covering areas like integrity, resilience, teamwork, and commitment to continuous development.
Individual Learning Plan
Before learning begins, the apprentice, their employer, and XPP agree an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) — a statutory document that sets out how the programme will be delivered. It records the OTJ training schedule, planned review dates, target completion date, and agreed pace of study. It is reviewed and updated at each progress review throughout the programme.
Below is an illustrative plan for a 24-month apprenticeship. Actual plans vary by programme, employer working pattern, and apprentice start date.
| Phase | Timeframe | Study focus | Key activities | OTJ target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Induction | Weeks 1–4 | Orientation & baseline | Initial tripartite meeting, skills scan, OTJ schedule agreed, ILP signed | Hours log opens |
| Stage 1 | Months 2–12 | Foundations & core knowledge | Taught sessions, coursework, portfolio entries; Progress Reviews 1 & 2 | ~264 hrs |
| Stage 2 | Months 13–22 | Applied skills & workplace evidence | Practice-based evidence, professional discussion prep; Progress Reviews 3 & 4 | ~240 hrs |
| Gateway prep | Month 23 | EPA readiness | Final tripartite gateway meeting, KSB sign-off, OTJ hours confirmed, EPA booked | Final tally confirmed |
| EPA | Month 24 | End Point Assessment | Portfolio review, professional discussion, final grading | — |
Progress reviews
Formal tripartite reviews — between the apprentice, their employer, and an XPP coach — take place every 12 weeks. Each review assesses KSB progress, confirms OTJ hours, and updates the ILP. Reviews are a regulatory requirement and are recorded on the apprentice’s online learning record.
Initial skills scan
At induction, every apprentice completes a skills scan — a structured self-assessment against all KSBs in their standard. This establishes a baseline, identifies any prior learning that may count towards the programme, and informs how the ILP is personalised to the individual.
Commitment Statement
The ILP is accompanied by a Commitment Statement — a statutory document required by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). It confirms the responsibilities of the apprentice, employer, and XPP, and sets out the planned training schedule and OTJ hours commitment.
KSB mapping matrix
A KSB matrix maps each module in a programme to the specific Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour codes it covers. This makes it clear, at a glance, how the learning plan builds evidence across the whole standard — and helps identify any KSBs that need to be addressed through workplace activity rather than taught content.
Employers, apprentices, and XPP coaches use the matrix throughout the programme to track coverage: as each module is completed, the corresponding KSBs are marked as evidenced. At gateway, the matrix forms part of the readiness review, confirming that all KSBs have been addressed before the apprentice proceeds to End Point Assessment.
| Module | K1 | K2 | K3 | S1 | S2 | S3 | B1 | B2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal foundations | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | – | – | – | – |
| Legal research methods | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | – | – |
| Document drafting | – | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | – | – |
| Client communication | – | – | – | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ethics & regulation | ✓ | ✓ | – | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Workplace project | – | – | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Each of our apprenticeship pages shows the live KSB list for that standard. See an example:
KSB progression timeline
Alongside the mapping matrix, training providers maintain a KSB progression timeline — a tracker that records the target review point by which each KSB should be evidenced, and the current status at every progress review.
The timeline is updated at each tripartite review and forms the backbone of gateway readiness conversations. All KSBs must reach Achieved status before an apprentice can proceed to End Point Assessment.
| KSB | Description | Skills scan | Review 1 Month 3 | Review 2 Month 6 | Review 3 Month 12 | Review 4 Month 18 | Gateway Month 23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K1 | Legal principles & sources of law | – | ◑ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| K2 | Regulatory & compliance framework | – | – | ◑ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| K3 | Legal research techniques | – | ◑ | ◑ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| S1 | Legal drafting & document preparation | ◑ | ◑ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| S2 | Client communication & advice | – | – | ◑ | ◑ | ✓ | ✓ |
| S3 | Research & case analysis | – | – | – | ◑ | ✓ | ✓ |
| B1 | Professional integrity & ethics | ◑ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| B2 | Commitment to development | – | ◑ | ◑ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Assessment
Apprenticeship assessment is structured around the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) defined in the apprenticeship standard, culminating in an End Point Assessment by an independent organisation.
- ✓Ongoing progress reviews with your employer and XPP throughout the programme
- ✓On-the-job competency assessments mapped to the KSBs in the standard
- ✓End Point Assessment (EPA) conducted by an independent end-point assessment organisation — this is the final formal assessment
- ✓EPA methods vary by standard and may include a portfolio of evidence, professional discussion, observation, interview, or project report
- ✓You must pass the EPA to achieve the apprenticeship certificate
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