A qualification an employer accepts in place of the one it asks for, for example a BTEC instead of A levels. Always check which equivalents an employer accepts.
An advanced subject qualification usually taken over two years at sixth form or college in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It sits at Level 3, the same level as an advanced apprenticeship.
A vocational qualification that many employers accept as an equivalent to GCSEs (at Level 2) or A levels (at Level 3). Sky, for example, accepts BTEC Level 2 instead of five GCSEs for some apprenticeships.
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.
The official government apprenticeship vacancy service. England and Wales each have their own version. Many big employers also recruit through their own careers websites.
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.