Regulations stipulate that work-based learning (WBL) providers should ensure every WBL practitioner who provides education or training in an WBL environment, is registered with the EWC before they start work.

Work-based learning is defined as ‘education or training provided for persons aged 16 or above, (regardless of whether it is also provided for persons under 16), in order to develop knowledge and skills relevant to a particular trade, occupation or employer.’

A WBL practitioner is defined as a person, who provides, or wishes to provide, WBL practitioner services.

Work-based learning practitioner services are defined as:

• coordinating and delivering work-based learning
• assessing learners’ knowledge and skills

Examples of roles which need to be registered

The list is not exhaustive. Using the definitions provided, employers need to consider the actual role an individual is undertaking and not just their job title.

Roles which need to be registered:

• assessors
• trainers
• learning deliverers
• coaches
• mentors
• those that coordinate delivering WBL:
  • management/leadership roles
  • quality assurance staff
• some self-employed person or persons provided by an external organisation

Roles that do not need to be registered include:

• administrative staff
  • office based administrators
  • IT systems support
  • human resources
  • finance
• sales and marketing staff
• unpaid volunteers

A practitioner must be registered in the category or categories of registration for the role(s) they undertake. For example, if the employee works part-time as a WBL practitioner and part-time as an FE teacher, they must be registered in all relevant categories. They would, however, only pay one registration fee.