Apprenticeship glossary

Buddy

What does Buddy mean?

A colleague, often a current or recent apprentice, who helps you settle in. JLR and Laing O'Rourke both mention buddies for new starters.

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Employer profile Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) apprenticeships The British car maker behind Jaguar and Land Rover. It offers four-year apprenticeships from Level 3 to Level 7 in engineering, digital, supply chain and finance. Degree apprentices are paid £26,092, and Level 3 apprentices around £17,393.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
A two-year qualification taken instead of A levels at some schools. Some employers, like JLR, say they accept it as an equivalent.
Procurement
Buying the goods and services an organisation needs, at the right price and quality. JLR's supply chain and procurement degree apprenticeship covers it.
Progress review
A regular meeting to check how your apprenticeship is going. Laing O'Rourke holds quarterly reviews, and JLR holds reviews every twelve weeks for its Level 6 apprentices.
Relocation
Moving to a different area for a job. Some employers help with moving costs; others, like JLR, say they don't.
Apprentice
Someone doing an apprenticeship: an employee who is paid to work and train towards a recognised qualification at the same time.
Mentor
An experienced colleague who supports you during your apprenticeship, separate from your manager. Many employers also give you a 'buddy', often a current apprentice.

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.