Reviews are a compliance requirement, but they are not just administrative milestones. During an effective review, tutors and learners can reflect, plan, and re-energise the learning journey. They’re a blend of pastoral care, coaching, and constructive challenge. At first look, there doesn’t appear to be a role for AI in such a personalised aspect of an apprenticeship programme. However, there is a middle ground which doesn’t outsource the review process to AI but can remove some of the administrative burden. Apprenticeship providers are facing rising workloads and tighter compliance demands, and AI can assist.

Does AI remove the personal touch that makes reviews such an effective part of the process?

Apprenticeship reviews are about more than ticking boxes. They involve nuance, empathy, and understanding the learner’s personal circumstances. When used strategically, AI support for reviews can be less about replacing the human touch and more about creating space for more personal interaction.

For example, tutors currently spend a lot of time preparing notes, writing up summaries, and updating records after a review. It’s not unusual for the admin to take as long – or longer – than the review itself.

Here’s where AI can help tutors deliver effective reviews:

• Time savings: Reducing the administrative burden frees tutors to dedicate more energy to coaching and mentoring.
• Consistent record-keeping: Summaries follow a structured, clear format, reducing the risk of missed details or inconsistent documentation.
• Focus on live interaction: With less need to take exhaustive notes during the meeting, tutors can be more present and responsive in the moment.

The use of AI doesn’t turn reviews into automated exchanges. It’s about removing the repetitive, low-value task of admin so tutors can lean into the human side of their role.

Bringing AI into the review workflow

Enhanced reviews from Aptem Enhance unlocks valuable, learner-focused conversations by shifting the emphasis from admin to coaching and feedback. The suite of features includes a summarisation tool which automatically summarises the key points, themes, and agreed actions from each meeting. This saves tutors at least 30 minutes per review. It supports accurate, compliant record keeping and means both tutors and learners arrive at each meeting well-prepared, with a clear record of what’s been discussed and agreed. Both tutor and learner arrive at the review ready to dive straight into a meaningful, productive conversation.

Enhanced reviews is designed with tutor oversight in mind. The AI drafts the summary, but the tutor reviews, edits, and finalises it. This keeps control firmly in human hands while still reaping the time savings. The feature integrates seamlessly with existing processes, meaning there’s no need to juggle separate note-taking apps or copy-paste between systems, which may not have the same level of IT security and data protection.

AI can help tutors to deliver effective, productive reviews

It may seem counterintuitive to suggest that AI can deliver more personalised reviews. But, it is important to note that reviews can be AI-supported but not wholly AI-driven. The automation never takes over, meaning:

• AI handles the recording and summarising of reviews so that tutors can focus on listening and responding to the learner.
• Structured AI-generated summaries save tutors time after the review and shift the focus away from being a note-taking, tick box exercise.
• Review conversations become more engaging and tutors have more time to add their expert, professional insight without the need to capture every point.

Hear from one of our customers about their experience of enhanced reviews:
“Feedback from our coaches has been overwhelmingly positive, especially noting valuable time savings of 15-30 minutes per review, and improved quality through the ability to have more meaningful conversations. As the feature automatically captures and tracks key discussion points, our coaches no longer need to focus on typing notes, making the process smoother and more impactful.”
Josephine Moore, Digital Learning Manager, Travis Perkins

Automation can deliver more effective, personalised reviews

The enhanced reviews suite of features increases both the efficiency and quality of reviews while keeping human connection at the centre. In a sector where every minute counts, saving 30 minutes of admin per review to give back to learners with expert, personalised support is invaluable.