Apprentice Definition

If you’ve got other questions about definitions of apprenticeships just Tweet us at @GetMyFirstJob, send us a message or email us. We want to make finding an apprenticeship easier for you and understanding what the words mean is important! 

Apprentice – An apprentice is the person who is doing the programme. An apprentice is an employee who spends most of their time doing a full-time role, as well as 20% of their time in off-the-job training working towards an academic qualification.

“BT are currently looking to hire a new apprentice in their legal department”

Apprenticeship – An apprenticeship is an alternative to college or university, it is the programme itself. The scheme involved you spending 20% of your time learning academic knowledge and putting that into practice in your job.  

“During my apprenticeship I get a lot of responsibility while studying towards my degree”

Training Provider – A training provider is the organisation that will be providing your off-the-job training during your apprenticeship. A training provider can be a college, university where you go in to learn or it could be an online provider.

“My training provider is where I learn the theory behind sales”

Apprenticeship Employer – An apprenticeship employer is the organisaitno that employs you and supports you through your training while you are on an apprenticeship programme. They will pay you a salary and give you time to study.

“My Apprenticeship Employer is a small accountancy firm just outside town”

End Point Assessment (EPA) – This is a synoptic assessment to make sure you have the knowledge, skills and behaviours you should have learnt during your apprenticeship. It’s nothing to worry about it just shows what you learn with your training provider is being put into practice.

“I’ve send all my work and evidence off for my end point assessment and if that’s all OK, I’ve completed my apprenticeship”

On the job training – This is the training that you do when you are working with your employer. On the job training could include someone showing you how to use the internal systems or certain pieces of machinery at your workplace.

“Part of my on the job training involved my manager showing me how to process accounts on the system”

Off the job training – This is the training you do when you’re with your training provider. This could involve you working towards a BTEC, NVQ, HNC, HND, Degree or industry related qualification such as AAT or CIM qualifiactions.  You should spend 20% of your time doing off the job training as an apprentice.

“On Thursdays I go to college to study which is my off the job training”

Apprenticeship Standard – An apprenticeship standard tells your employer what you should be doing and the skills that you’ll be learning. These are set by the Government and based on job titles and so what you’re learning is the same as someone on the other side of the country.

“I’m an Engineer working towards the Gas Engineering apprenticeship standard”

Apprenticeship Agreement – An apprenticeship agreement is the terms between you, your employer and your training provider. It is you agreeing to working while saying you’ll attend college or online training and work to a certain standard. It will include your contract and your start and end dates too.

“I signed my apprenticeship agreement today, so I’m officially an apprentice with Channel 4!”

Mentor – A mentor is someone who will help you through your apprenticeship, give you their insight and help you put what you learn into practise at work. Not all apprentices will get a mentor, but there is no reason why you shouldn’t – they don’t have to be in your organisation! 

“My mentor did a similar programme to me a few years ago and is now studying towards a new qualification, which is exactly what I want to do”  

Duty/Duties – These are what your job will entail and are detailed by your employer. This could include assisting with certain projects, working on the production line or managing aspects of the organisation. 

“One of my duties is managing our social media platforms”

Occupational Level – This is the level your apprenticeship standard is at. This is anything from the equivalent of GCSE’s (L2) all the way up to Masters level (L7). There are often opportunities to start at a lower level and progress up through different qualifications.

“I’m currently doing a level 3 apprenticeship but I’m hoping next year I’ll be able to start a level 4 one!”

Functional Skills – Functional skills are the practical skills that you need in English, Maths and IT that are deemed necessary for you to live, learn and work successfully in your career. They are functional qualifications as you should be able to show how you can incorporate them into your every day job.

“I’ve got my functional Skills IT exam tomorrow, so wish me luck”

GetMyFirstJob Apprenticeship Definitions

Detailed Job Description – The detailed job description is what you’ll be doing, and it details the duty or duties you’ll undertake during your apprenticeship. It can also feature some personal qualities you should have. 

Future Prospects – These are what you could be doing after your apprenticeship; whether it’s the opportunity to do a higher-level apprenticeship or have a permanent position. It’s important to know what the future holds! 

Psychometric Test – W have a range of psychometric tests including PeopleFit and Pinnacle Valley which means that you can get an insight into what industry or job role is best for you. Some employers will ask for you to do one of these before an interview. 

Career Areas of Interests – These are the industries that you are most interested in. These mean that employers can talent-spot you for vacancies in those areas and we can also contact you about the vacancies in your area about those areas!

Apply for apprenticeships.