A Scottish qualification usually taken in S4, roughly comparable to a GCSE. Some employers, like Barclays and Rolls-Royce, accept National 5s in their entry requirements.
A payment taken from your pay if you earn over a set amount, which builds your entitlement to things like the State Pension. Apprentices pay it like other employees.
The minimum wage for people aged 21 and over: £12.71 an hour from 1 April 2026. Apprentices move onto their age's minimum rate once they're 19 or over and past their first year.
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.