From 1st September 2026, this apprenticeship will not be government funded. Any apprentice who started this apprenticeship before 1st September 2026 will continue to be funded through to completion. This apprenticeship will remain available for delivery for privately funded apprentices.
Overview
Develop confident, capable mentors who can guide others and strengthen your organisation from within. This apprenticeship builds practical one‑to‑one support skills, from active listening and trust‑building to giving effective feedback and setting meaningful goals. Learners gain the tools to work inclusively, uphold professional standards, and inspire growth across teams.
By the end of the programme, apprentices become trusted role models who elevate performance, improve retention, and reinforce the behaviours your organisation values.
Business Benefits
- Stronger internal role models
- Improved employee success and retention
- Sustainable capability building
- Consistent behaviour reinforcement
- Fewer avoidable errors
Learner Benefits
- Structured mentoring techniques
- Effective support and feedback
- Communication and influence skills
- Inclusive mentoring practice
What Is the Learning & Skills Mentor Apprenticeship?
A Learning & Skills Mentor is an experienced professional who understands their organisation deeply and is passionate about their industry. This apprenticeship provides a structured framework that enables mentors to share their expertise confidently, ethically and effectively – whether in formal mentoring programmes or informal day‑to‑day guidance.
Duration
12 months.
Progression
On completion, learners will be fully prepared to mentor others with professionalism and impact. They will be competent, qualified mentors in formal mentoring programmes and skilled guides in informal situations where navigating how the organisation works and what it values will improve engagement, retention and productivity.
Candidates for this course should be working in a related sector.
All applications will be reviewed on an individual basis. If you have experience or previous knowledge that will support your application please remember to include it. Apprentices without level 2 English and maths, aged 16-18, will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment.
Under new rules, apprentices aged 19 and over will no longer be required to achieve a Level 2 functional skills qualification in English and Maths to complete their apprenticeship. Although, the decision will be at the employers discretion, and apprentices are encouraged to discuss these requirements with their employer or training provider.
As an employer that doesn’t pay the apprenticeship levy, you pay just 5% towards the cost of training and assessing an apprentice.
The government will pay the rest up to the funding band maximum.
You’ll pay the training provider directly and agree on a payment schedule.
If you employ fewer than 50 employees, the government will pay 100% of the apprenticeship training costs up to the funding band maximum for apprentices aged:
- 16 to 21
- 19 to 24 with an education, health and care plan provided by their local authority or has been in the care of their local authority
Paying employer National Insurance contributions
Employers may not need to pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions for an apprentice, if the apprentice is:
- under 25 years old
- on an approved UK government apprenticeship standard or framework (these can differ depending on country)
- earns less than £967 a week (£50,270 a year)
The apprentice, as an employee, will continue to pay Class 1 insurance contributions through their salary, this will only benefit the employer.
Read HMRC’s guidance on paying National Insurance contributions.