Plain words for the terms you'll hear.
Apprenticeships come with their own vocabulary. None of it is complicated once it is explained. Here are the words you are most likely to meet.
- Apprenticeship standard
- The national description of what someone in your role should know and be able to do. Your whole apprenticeship is built around it.
- On-the-job training
- Learning by doing your actual job, with guidance from the people around you.
- Off-the-job training
- Protected, paid time, at least six hours a week if you work full time, for learning that goes beyond your everyday tasks.
- KSBs
- Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours: the three things your standard expects you to build over the apprenticeship.
- Skills coach
- The person from TLC who guides you, reviews your progress, and prepares you for assessment.
- Reviews
- Regular catch-ups between you, your coach and your employer to see how you are getting on and what comes next.
- Portfolio
- The collection of evidence that shows what you have learned and done. You build it as you go.
- Functional Skills
- English and maths qualifications. If you are 16 to 18 and do not already hold them at the required level, you work towards them; adults usually show these skills through their work instead.
- Gateway
- The point near the end where everyone agrees you are ready to move into your final assessment.
- End-point assessment (EPA)
- The final, independent check that you can do the job to the national standard. The wording is being updated, so you may simply hear it called "the assessment".
The things people usually ask.
If you are weighing this up, you are probably wondering about a few of these.
Do I get paid?
Yes. You are an employee with a wage, holiday and the same employment rights as your colleagues. There is a minimum apprentice pay rate set by law, and many people earn above it.
How long does it take?
Most apprenticeships run a year or more. Some now start from around eight months, and higher levels can take several years. Your training plan will tell you what to expect for your specific apprenticeship.
Will I have to sit in a classroom?
Not necessarily. Most of your learning happens through your work. Some training may be online, in sessions, or with TLC. Your plan sets out exactly how it will be delivered.
What if I find it hard?
That is normal, especially at the start. The most important thing is to tell your skills coach early. Support is there for your learning, your confidence, English and maths, wellbeing, and more.
Am I too old to start one?
No. There is no upper age limit on apprenticeships. People begin them at every stage of working life.
Do I need qualifications to start?
Usually not many. If you are 16 to 18 and do not already hold English and maths at the required level, you work towards them as part of the programme. Adults show these skills through their work rather than needing the certificates beforehand.
I'm already good at my job, so what's the point?
An apprenticeship turns what you can already do into a recognised qualification, fills any gaps you might not have noticed, and often opens the door to the next level or a new role.
What happens at the very end?
You finish with a nationally recognised qualification, a portfolio of evidence showing what you can do, and for many people, a stronger position in their career, whether that is a permanent role, a pay rise, or a step up.