# Remedial support for apprentices --- Our training is broadly in three parts: 1) Portfolio; 2) Foundation; 3) Apprenticeship. --- Usually, we expect learners to start at the beginning. But if they don't, this is how we deal with it. --- From September, the Foundation will be indistinguishable from the first half of an apprenticeship. So, learners can parachute straight into an apprenticeship working with Skills Bootcamp learners, if an employer is supporting them to do so. --- However, this still leaves the Portfolio. Without it, or something equivalent, learners will not be ready for an apprenticeship. --- the portfolio stage is a prerequisite and exactly the same for both the Software Developer and DevOps engineer apprenticeships --- If we find ourselves with apprentices who have not completed this step, this is the approach we will take... ---  Get them started on the application requirements. --- Importantly, they should join the FACapplicants organisation and build their projects in the same place as other learners. --- They should also be encouraged to join the Tuesday meetups. If they like, they can come in late that day, so they are not working longer hours. --- Outside the meetups, they need to be encouraged to work with each other, particularly to review each others' portfolio code. They can also work individually on freeCodeCamp and Codewars. --- Given that they are studying full-time, they should make quicker progress than the Tuesday evening crew, this means we can give them more work to do and provide more structure. --- As well as the course requirements, we will expect them to eventually start on Execute Program. --- They can make daily progress on everything: 1. freeCodeCamp, initially; 2. CodeWars, up to 5 kyu and beyond; 3. Execute Program, starting with JS Arrays; 4. Their projects, pairing up to review PRs. --- We must strongly encourage peer working, where appropriate. And if any learner is making faster progress, encourage them to offer support to the others. --- Regular (i.e. weekly) progress reviews are essential and remedial help offered, if needed. --- Fortunately, all of the tools we will be using allow for fine-grained measurement of progress. They also offer plenty of stretch opportunities. --- We need to support when necessary, but this is a fantastic opportunity for the learners to acquire habits of self- and mutual reliance. --- That's it.