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By gum, they do come up with some things, don't they?
It's the *on the same programme* bit that is giving me the fear. I think it would probably fine for, eg, someone on L5 Management to mentor someone on L3 Team Leader, or maybe someone two years into a three year app mentoring a new start, but even that feels a bit squicky when they're not fully competent. My question, in fact, would be "if this mentor is so good at this, why aren't they in Gateway/doing their EPA/why didn't they have RPL for this?"
So, I don't think it's written down as a prohibition because why would anyone think it might even be a thing, but I'd be super careful about it because it's clearly weird. A one-off for specific written down reasons, you'd probably be OK, but can't see it being acceptable en masse?
(I mean, is there no one else?)
(also, depends on the quantity of OTJ it involves. If they would be over the threshold anyway, probably not too much of a problem if someone came in and said "no"?)
I think if they're actually managing/supervising the other app it's probably fine for the Prog Reviews?
Neil Raynor
Apprentice being mentored by another apprentice.
Edited
from the 2022 guidelines: "The mentor must be a more senior or experienced member of staff. This does not include general line management."
My understanding is that seniority in this context means seniority in the field; i.e. the mentor is a fully qualified "Master" able to guide the apprentice and support them in the work-place. I understand that the spirit of an apprenticeship is that a master supports the development of a novice, but I am getting some pushback from an employer.
Is there any specific ESFA guidance prohibiting an apprentice from being mentored by another apprentice on the same programme?