Apprenticeship glossary

Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

What does Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) mean?

The basic level of security check for working on some UK government or defence work, covering identity, right to work and employment history.

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Employer profile BAE Systems apprenticeships The UK's biggest defence company, with around 5,100 apprentices in training and more than 60 UK programmes, from intermediate to degree level, in engineering, manufacturing, business and tech.
Security clearance
Checks some employers, especially in defence, need you to pass before you can work on certain projects. BAE Systems says everyone needs at least the Baseline Personnel Security Standard.
National Security Vetting
Security clearance some defence employers need. BAE Systems says it usually means 5 to 10 years of living in the UK without a break.
Level
How advanced an apprenticeship's qualification is. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland they run from Level 2 (like GCSEs) to Level 7 (like a master's degree). Scotland uses SCQF levels instead.
Right to work
Being legally allowed to work in the UK. Many employers say they can't sponsor visas for apprentices, so you need the right to work for the whole apprenticeship.
Benefits
Extras you get on top of your pay, such as a pension, extra holiday, discounts or private healthcare. Look at the whole package, not just the salary.
Block release
Doing your off-the-job training in blocks, such as a week at college every so often, rather than one day a week (day release).

Definitions are our own plain-English summaries. Where we give figures, they come from the official sources listed on the linked guide or profile. Rules can change, so check the official source before you make decisions.