Section 1: Programme and parties
- Apprentice name, employer name, training provider
- Apprenticeship standard code and title
- Programme level and expected duration
- Planned start date and expected end date
Apprenticeship commitment statement template
A structured commitment statement template covering all ESFA mandatory fields: programme content and schedule, OTJ delivery plan, roles and responsibilities, amendment process, and three-way sign-off. Guidance notes included for each section to support providers completing it with new employers.
ESFA mandatory fields
OTJ delivery plan
Roles & responsibilities
Three-way sign-off
Published: 7 March 2026. Use alongside the commitment statement guide for ESFA compliance context.
Template sections
Section 2: Programme content and schedule
- Outline of planned learning content by phase
- Delivery methods (taught, blended, workplace)
- Review schedule and milestone dates
- EPA gateway target date
Section 3: Off-the-job training plan
- Planned OTJ hours target (calculated field)
- How OTJ will be delivered and by whom
- Employer release time commitment
- OTJ logging and sign-off process
Section 4: Roles and responsibilities
- Training provider obligations (curriculum, reviews, ILR)
- Employer obligations (release time, mentoring, sign-off)
- Apprentice obligations (engagement, evidence, attendance)
- Contact details for each party
Section 5: Changes and amendments
- Trigger events that require an amendment
- Amendment request process
- Amendment log table (date, change, signed by)
Section 6: Sign-off
- Training provider signature and date
- Employer representative signature and date
- Apprentice signature and date
- Confirmation that all parties received a copy
Completing the template: key guidance
- Complete before or on the programme start date. A commitment statement dated after the start date is an ESFA audit failure regardless of programme quality.
- Personalise Section 4. Boilerplate roles and responsibilities that are identical for every learner do not demonstrate that the employer understood their specific obligations. Name the employer contact and describe the specific release arrangements.
- Document the OTJ delivery plan in Section 3 — not just the target hours. Auditors expect to see how the hours will be delivered, not just how many hours are planned.
- Obtain all three signatures before the learner starts. Do not begin delivery with an unsigned commitment statement in the expectation that signatures will follow.
- Use the amendment log in Section 5 for every programme change. A programme that changes without an amendment trail creates audit gaps that are hard to resolve retroactively.
- Retain the original plus all amendments. Do not replace the original document — append amendments and keep the full history.
How the template maps to ESFA funding rules
- Funding rule requirement: programme content and schedule → Template Section 2
- Funding rule requirement: OTJ hours and delivery plan → Template Section 3
- Funding rule requirement: roles and responsibilities → Template Section 4
- Funding rule requirement: process for changes → Template Section 5
- Funding rule requirement: three-party sign-off → Template Section 6
For the full ESFA commitment statement requirement, refer to the current apprenticeship funding rules on GOV.UK.
Printable template
The template below can be printed or used as a guide to build your own digital version. Each field includes a guidance note in brackets.
APPRENTICESHIP COMMITMENT STATEMENT
SECTION 1 — PROGRAMME AND PARTIES
Apprentice name: ___________________________
Employer name: ___________________________
Training provider: ___________________________
Apprenticeship standard title: ___________________________ [Include the full IfATE title]
Standard code: ___________________________ [e.g. ST0030]
Level: _____ Planned duration: _____ months
Programme start date: ___________ Expected end date: ___________
Expected EPA window: ___________________________
SECTION 2 — PROGRAMME CONTENT AND SCHEDULE
Outline of planned learning content: [Describe phases, topics, and delivery methods. Be specific to this standard — avoid generic descriptions.]
Delivery method(s): ___________________________ [e.g. weekly taught sessions, blended online modules, workplace projects]
Review schedule: ___________________________ [e.g. 12-weekly three-way reviews, monthly tutor check-ins]
Planned review dates: ___________________________
Gateway readiness target date: ___________________________
SECTION 3 — OFF-THE-JOB TRAINING PLAN
Total OTJ hours required: _____ hrs [Calculate: contracted weekly hours × 20% × working weeks in programme period]
How OTJ will be delivered: [List specific methods — taught sessions, projects, shadowing, visits, etc. Confirm who delivers each and at what frequency.]
Employer release time commitment: ___________________________ [Hours per week / per month the employer agrees to release the apprentice]
OTJ logging process: ___________________________ [How hours will be recorded, verified, and signed off]
SECTION 4 — ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Training provider will: [List specific obligations — curriculum delivery, progress reviews, ILR reporting, EPA preparation, safeguarding]
Provider contact name: ___________________________ Email: ___________________________
Employer will: [List specific obligations — release time for OTJ, participation in reviews, workplace mentoring, evidence sign-off. Be specific to this employer and role.]
Employer contact name: ___________________________ Email: ___________________________
Apprentice will: [List specific obligations — engagement with learning, evidence submission, attendance, communication of concerns]
SECTION 5 — CHANGES AND AMENDMENTS
Amendments to this plan may be required if: [List trigger events — break in learning, change of job role, change to OTJ delivery, revised EPA date]
Amendment process: Any change to this plan must be discussed and agreed by all three parties before it is implemented. Amendments are recorded in the log below and signed by all parties.
SECTION 6 — SIGN-OFF
We confirm we have read, understood, and agreed to the contents of this commitment statement.
Training provider signature: ___________________________ Date: ___________
Employer signature: ___________________________ Date: ___________
Apprentice signature: ___________________________ Date: ___________
Each party should retain a copy of this signed document. The training provider is responsible for storing the original and all amendments for the duration of the programme plus two years post-completion.
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TIQPlus generates commitment statements from programme data, sends them to employers and apprentices for digital signature, tracks unsigned documents, and logs all amendments with a full audit trail — so your compliance record builds itself.