Apprenticeship glossary

Practical period

What does Practical period mean?

The part of an apprenticeship where you do your learning and training, before your end-point assessment. Your apprenticeship agreement in England sets out when it starts and ends.

Find out more

Guide Your first month as an apprentice and progress reviews What to expect when you start an apprenticeship in England: the paperwork, your training plan, and how progress reviews work, including how often they happen, who's in them and what to do if something's wrong. 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.
Apprenticeship agreement
A legal agreement between you and your employer, signed at the start, that sets out your apprenticeship standard and level, its start and end dates and your training. In England it counts as a contract of service, so employment law applies to it.
End-point assessment (EPA)
In England, the independent assessment at the end of an apprenticeship that checks you can do the job. It uses at least two methods, such as a practical test, a project or an interview.
Practical test
A hands-on task to show your skills, often for engineering or trade roles. Williams' assessment centre includes a practical skills test.
Predicted grades
The grades your teachers expect you to get. Employers and universities may make offers based on them, which then depend on you getting those grades.

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.