Apprenticeship glossary

NVQ

What does NVQ mean?

A National Vocational Qualification, which shows you can do a job to a set standard. Balfour Beatty's intermediate apprenticeships, for example, lead to an NVQ Level 2.

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Employer profile Balfour Beatty apprenticeships A big construction and infrastructure company with apprenticeships at four levels and in 13 areas, from trades and highways maintenance to civil engineering and quantity surveying, lasting two to five years.
Incorporated Engineer
A professional engineering title. Balfour Beatty says its degree apprenticeships can lead to professional qualifications like Incorporated Engineer.
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.
Intermediate apprenticeship
A Level 2 apprenticeship, roughly the same level as GCSEs. Many don't ask for specific grades.
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.
Off-the-job training
The part of your apprenticeship spent learning rather than doing your normal job, at college, online or at work. In England it's at least 20% of your normal working hours.

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.