Apprenticeships glossary

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship is a job with training. This includes the training and (where required) end-point assessment of an employee.

Apprenticeship levy

The apprenticeship levy is a levy on UK employers to fund apprenticeships. The levy is charged at a rate of 0.5% of an employer’s pay bill, where the employer has a pay bill of £3m or more.

Apprenticeship standard

Apprenticeship standards that have been approved and published by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. Apprentices can only be enrolled against an apprenticeship standard once it is identified as approved for delivery.

End-point assessment (EPA)

Independent assessment undertaken by an apprentice at the end of training to test that they can perform in the occupation they have been trained in and can demonstrate the duties, knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the occupational standard.

End-point assessment organisation (EPAO)

An organisation on the Register of End-Point Assessment Organisations. End-point assessment organisations are selected by employers to carry out end-point assessment.

Gateway requirements

The requirements set out in the assessment plan that must be met by the apprentice prior to undertaking end-point assessment of the apprenticeship standard. They include the completion of English and maths qualifications (where applicable) and completion of any on-programme, mandatory qualifications (where applicable), along with satisfactory evidence (as determined by the employer, in consultation with the main provider) that the apprentice has achieved the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the standard.

Higher and degree apprenticeships

An apprenticeship where the main learning is at Level 4 or above (including higher education qualifications).

Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE)

IfATE develop, approve, review and revise apprenticeship standards, working with employers. IfATE is sponsored by the Department for Education and led by a board of employers, business leaders and their representatives.

Off-the-job training

Training that is not on-the-job training and is received by the apprentice, during the apprentice’s normal working hours, for the purpose of achieving the approved apprenticeship standard to which the agreement or arrangement relates.

Training provider

An organisation on the register of apprenticeship training providers and appointed by an employer for the delivery of training and on programme assessment, as part of an apprenticeship programme.