Learning and skills mentor
Level 4 · HigherEducation and early years 1 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A learning and skills mentor supports learners in further education, training, or workplace settings by providing guided mentoring, pastoral support, and motivational coaching to help them succeed. At level 4, apprentices develop structured mentoring skills alongside an understanding of learner well-being and retention. The role leads to learning mentor coordinator, personal tutor, or curriculum support manager positions.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Mentoring models and frameworks and how to apply them with learners
How to identify barriers to learning and implement appropriate support strategies
Well-being and mental health awareness relevant to supporting young people and adults
Coaching techniques for helping learners set goals and build self-belief
Safeguarding responsibilities including Prevent duties
Equality, diversity, and inclusion and their impact on learner experience
How to collaborate effectively with tutors, assessors, and employers
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Meet regularly with allocated learners to review progress and set new targets
Identify learners who are at risk of disengagement and provide early support
Facilitate one-to-one mentoring sessions using agreed frameworks
Signpost learners to specialist support services when appropriate
Work with teaching staff to coordinate wraparound support for struggling learners
Maintain confidential records of mentoring conversations and agreed actions
Deliver group workshops on topics such as study skills or managing anxiety
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 4 (Higher) - roughly Foundation-degree level. Usually needs Level 3 (A-levels, a T-Level, or an Advanced apprenticeship) or relevant experience.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 5/6 apprenticeship or a more senior role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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