In this session of our Aptem product roadmap webinar series, we take a closer look at the activity log, our new way of capturing off-the-job training hours, hear directly from a customer who has been using it since early access, and share where the rest of the 2026 roadmap is heading.
From this webinar you'll get the latest on what's new, what's next, and the initiatives shaping Aptem's direction for the year ahead, including:
- A live walkthrough of the activity log for both learners and tutors, covering logging, verification, rejection and resubmission, and the audit export.
- How providers can prepare for general availability, including tidying up learning plan components and agreeing verification turnaround times with tutors.
- What's coming next for the activity log, including expanded configuration, auto logging for school modules and placements, a single unified data source, and digital sign-off for off-the-job records.
- Continued work on the employer learning plan access feature, which gives employers visibility of their apprentice's progress.
- Early development on next generation learning plans and a new admin centre feature that will sit at the core of the platform.
- Progress on data access modernisation and the new Pass functional skills integration.
- Preparations for the 2026/27 ILR and funding rule changes, and ongoing work on apprenticeship unit changes.
This session also includes customer insight into the activity log based on their early access and a spotlight on the learner app:
- A Q&A on the activity log with Dom WIlkinson, Delivery Partnership Manager at Lifetime Training, who shares why they joined early access, the impact it has had on coaches and learners, and what they are most looking forward to next.
- An update on the learner app, including a look at the document upload, notifications and virtual assistant features now built into the new app front end.
Learn more about how you can prepare for the arrival of the new activity log here.
Activity log webinar: your questions answered
Thank you for attending the activity log webinar. We received a wide range of thoughtful questions during the session, and we wanted to make sure every one of them was addressed. We have grouped the questions by theme and provided answers below.
Please note that the activity log is under active development. Many of the features described are planned for delivery after the initial general availability (GA) release.
Where we refer to configuration options, these are programme-set-level settings. This means you will be able to tailor the activity log to suit the way each of your programmes operates.
Availability
When will the activity log be available?
We are targeting general availability in August/September 2026. We will communicate confirmed dates through the usual channels as we get closer.
Can you have the activity log for some programmes and use the existing method for others?
Yes. The rollout will be programme by programme, so you can move programmes across at your own pace. Approximately six to nine months after the GA release, we plan to deprecate the existing workflow and move all programmes onto the activity log. By that point, there will be a range of configuration options available, so programmes can be set up to work in a way that is very similar to the current approach. We expect the transition to be straightforward.
KSB mapping
Will learners be able to see or select which KSBs an activity relates to? Auditors have told us they expect activities to be linked to KSBs.
Yes. We are planning to indicate which KSBs are mapped to each activity log entry. We understand how important this is, particularly for audit purposes, and it is on our roadmap for delivery after the initial GA release.
Learning plan components and the activity log
Do activity log entries always need to be against a learning plan component, or can learners log hours without selecting one?
Yes, each activity log entry is recorded against a specific learning plan component. Off-the-job hours should be planned, and in Aptem the learning plan is where that planning happens. Each component represents a planned area of learning, and activity is logged against it accordingly. This is distinct from evidence of achievement, which can relate to multiple criteria. We recommend setting up learning plan components with clear, learner-friendly titles so that selecting the right one is straightforward.
Does the activity log only apply to the miscellaneous learning plan component?
No. Any learning plan component that is visible to the learner can be selected for activity logging. Miscellaneous components that are not visible to the learner will not appear in the list. That said, we would not recommend relying on miscellaneous components given the off-the-job hours category work that has been introduced recently. Other component types can be used and labelled to suit your needs.
Will learning plan components auto-complete when planned hours are met through the activity log?
We are investigating the option to auto-complete components when the planned hours threshold is met, which would reduce administrative overhead. This is something we will look at after the GA release.
Will there be a way to go straight from a learning plan component to logging activity against it?
Yes. There will be a button on each learning plan component in the learning plan that takes the learner directly to the activity log entry form, with the component pre-selected.
Start and finish times
Will we be able to log start and end times, not just duration? Auditors have asked for this.
Yes. Start and finish times are planned. When a learner enters a start and finish time, the duration will be calculated automatically. The duration field will then be editable so the learner can adjust it to account for breaks, for example. This feature will come after the GA release.
Additional fields and customisation
Can we add more fields to the activity log to capture additional information?
We will be adding various configuration options and fields to the activity log over time. However, we are not planning to add free-text fields for capturing additional open-ended information. The reason is that the information recorded in the activity log needs to be displayed consistently in the audit output. If there are too many different fields or too many different ways of recording information, maintaining that consistency becomes very difficult.
Could an impact box be added so learners can record and evidence new learning?
Rather than adding a separate box, we are looking at allowing you to rename the description field. This means you can give it a more descriptive title that prompts the learner to record the impact of their learning in that space. This keeps the entry form clean and the audit output consistent.
Will learners be able to add attachments to activity log entries?
Yes. We will be introducing a file upload option on the activity log. This is intended for supporting material, such as a photograph or a supporting document, rather than formal evidence of achievement. Evidence of achievement will continue to sit in the learning plan.
Tutor and administrator workflows
If a tutor has accepted evidence but the learner wants to amend it, how do they do this?
We are introducing an administrator permission that allows a user with this role to change the status of an activity log entry so it can be unlocked for further amendments. We expect this to be available in the GA release.
Automatic activity log entries
Will the activity log automatically record SCORM activities when they are completed?
Yes. SCORM assets, placements, and workshops and meetings using the Teams integration will automatically create activity log entries when they are completed. A draft entry will be created that the learner can then add their learning notes to before submitting. We may introduce further configuration options for these component types depending on how they are used and what customers are looking for.
Learner experience
Which method of logging hours did learners prefer during early access: from the learning plan or directly in the activity log?
During early access, logging directly from the learning plan was not available, so all activity was logged through the activity log section. Going forward, we expect learners to use a blend of both methods: some will prefer to go directly to the activity log, while others will navigate from their learning plan. Both routes will be available.
Reporting and data
Can you report on activity log status (such as marking required, referred) via OData?
Yes. We will be creating a new OData feed that includes activity log data, including entry status information.
Will the activity log be available through the REST API (the public API, not OData)?
There are no current plans to add the activity log to the public REST API. Once we see wider adoption and have a clearer picture of demand, we will assess whether this is something to prioritise.
Best practice and guidance
Do you have best practice guidance for setting up learning plan components, particularly where the provider does not use Aptem for course content?
Yes. We will be publishing a guide in the Help Centre alongside the GA release covering best practice for setting up learning plan components, including for programmes that do not use Aptem for course content. Ahead of the release, we have produced guidance on how to prepare for the activity log, available here.