Apprenticeship glossary

Off-the-job training

What does Off-the-job training mean?

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.

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Guide What is an apprenticeship? An apprenticeship is a real, paid job with training built in. Here's how they work in England, what you get, who can apply, and how many people start one each year. Applies to: England
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.
Holiday entitlement
The paid time off you get each year. Apprentices get at least 20 days plus bank holidays, and many employers give more.
Block release
Doing your off-the-job training in blocks, such as a week at college every so often, rather than one day a week (day release).
Day release
Doing your off-the-job training one day a week, often at a college, and working the rest of the week. Compare block release.
Training contractor
In Northern Ireland, the organisation that arranges and delivers your off-the-job training on an Apprenticeships NI apprenticeship. You and your employer agree it with them.

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.