Here is a glossary of all the key terms relating to apprenticeships that you might need to know:

Apprenticeship: An apprenticeship combines practical training through the form of a job role alongside studying for a qualification you can gain upon completion. This means you are paid a wage and are expected to fulfil your duties as an employee of a company, but you are also a student and will spend at least 20% of your working hours studying and training for the formal qualifications related to your role.

Apprenticeship Levy: The apprenticeship levy is a fund that companies with a pay bill over £3 million pay into. Those eligible, pay 0.5% of their pay bill into the fund, which can then be used by the employer to hire apprentices over the next 24 months.

Apprenticeship Standard: An Apprenticeship Standard is the specific outline of an apprenticeship including content, method of assessment, progress weighting and time allocated for study. Employer-led groups write these.

Department for Education: The government department responsible for education, apprenticeships, child-protection and children’s services, and wider skills.

End-Point Assessment (EPA): The final assessment of an apprenticeship, which has been previously outlined in the relevant Apprenticeship Standard. This assessment is provided by the training provider or an external organisation.

End-point Assessment Organisation Register (RoEPAO): This is a government register which lists all the organisations which have been accredited by the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to provide the End-point Assessment of an apprenticeship.

Occupation: An occupation is a role in an industry or sector and can be transferred across different ‘jobs’, for example, plumber or data analyst. Apprenticeship standards relate to various occupations, but not all occupations are suitable for apprenticeships.

Portfolio: A collection of an apprentice’s best work completed throughout the apprenticeship. They aim to show that an apprentice has gained the knowledge and skills outlined in the Apprenticeship Standard.

Redundancy: Redundancy is a form of dismissal from work or an apprenticeship due to an employer needing to minimise their workforce, usually for financial reasons.

Trailblazer Apprenticeships: These are the new apprenticeship standards that are being created by employers in a particular sector. They aim to focus on the quality of the apprenticeship by asking employers to design them.

Trailblazer Groups (TBG): A TBG is a partnership of a minimum of ten different sized employers. They work together to develop a new Apprenticeship Standard.

Traineeships: A traineeship is similar to an apprenticeship in that you get a vocational training on a job, whilst learning and studying about the technical aspects of the role. Traineeships are much shorter than apprenticeships and are available in a broader variety of roles. While it is a training programme, there is less of a focus on qualifications received in comparison to apprenticeships.

T-Levels: T-levels are new courses beginning in September 2020 which will follow GCSE’s and are the equivalent to 3 A-Levels. They prepare students for employment by developing the vocational right skills and attributes alongside education. They will combine classroom learning and on-the-job experience.

Training Provider: This is the organisation who deliver the formal training element of an apprenticeship. In the UK, you have to find an external training provider instead of just using in-house training. They will ensure an apprenticeship is right for your business, track the pace and progress of apprentices and deliver the training programme.

Unique Learner Number (ULN): This is a unique ten-digit number issued to anybody over the age of 13 in education or training of any kind. This number tracks your Personal Learning Records, and all apprentices will have one.

Workplace mentor: This is a co-worker or colleague assigned to oversee an apprentice in the workplace and assist with any questions or difficulties. They may also track progress and offer advice on what to do after the apprenticeship.

Glossary Organiser

Work Experience