Coaching professional
Level 5 · HigherBusiness and administration 1.2 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Coaching Professional apprenticeship develops your ability to work as a skilled, ethical coach supporting individuals and teams to unlock their potential and achieve their goals in workplace or community settings. You will learn to design and deliver one-to-one and group coaching programmes, drawing on established coaching models and psychological insight. Graduates often work internally as leadership coaches or externally as independent coaching practitioners.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Core coaching models such as GROW and solution-focused approaches
How to build a trusting, confidential coaching relationship
Ethical frameworks and professional standards set by coaching bodies
Psychological concepts relevant to behaviour, motivation, and change
Reflective practice and continuous development as a coach
Contracting, goal-setting, and evaluating coaching outcomes
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Hold structured one-to-one coaching sessions with individual clients
Agree clear coaching contracts outlining goals, boundaries, and confidentiality
Use active listening, questioning, and reflective techniques in sessions
Design coaching programmes tailored to client needs and goals
Maintain detailed session notes and track progress against agreed outcomes
Seek regular supervision and participate in peer learning groups
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 5 (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 6 (Degree) apprenticeship or a senior role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
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What it’s really like
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