Apprenticeship glossary

Internship

What does Internship mean?

A short period of work at a company, often over a summer, usually for students. Unlike an apprenticeship, it doesn't lead to a qualification.

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.
Job description
An employer's description of a role: what you'd do, where, and what they're looking for. Re-read it before every interview.
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.
Levy transfer
When a large employer passes some of its unused apprenticeship levy funds to another organisation, often a smaller business or a charity, to pay for apprenticeship training there.
Line manager
The person you report to day to day, who sets your work and supports your progress.

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.