Apprenticeship glossary

Department for Education (DfE)

What does Department for Education (DfE) mean?

The UK government department responsible for apprenticeships in England. It publishes England's official apprenticeship statistics.

Find out more

Guide UK apprenticeship statistics 2026 The latest official apprenticeship numbers for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in one place: starts, levels, ages, completion rates and pay, each with its source. Applies to: All of the UK
Achievement rate
The share of apprentices who finish and pass their apprenticeship. Official statistics use it instead of 'completion rate'. In Scotland the Modern Apprenticeship achievement rate was 80.3% in 2025/26.
Apprentice
Someone doing an apprenticeship: an employee who is paid to work and train towards a recognised qualification at the same time.
Apprenticeship
A real, paid job where you also train towards a recognised qualification. In England at least 20% of your normal working hours are spent training, and you don't pay tuition fees.
Department for the Economy
The Northern Ireland government department responsible for apprenticeships there, including Apprenticeships NI and Higher Level Apprenticeships.
Devolved
Run separately by each nation's own government rather than the UK government. Apprenticeships are devolved, which is why the rules differ in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Digital and Technology Solutions
A common degree apprenticeship in tech, leading to a BSc (Hons). Employers including KPMG, Deloitte, JLR, Amazon and Lidl offer it.

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.