The last two years of school (Years 12 and 13 in England and Wales), usually studying A levels or equivalents. Lots of people apply for apprenticeships during sixth form.
An advanced subject qualification usually taken over two years at sixth form or college in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It sits at Level 3, the same level as an advanced 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.
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.
A short, free course in England for adults to learn skills employers need, such as coding or construction. It's not an apprenticeship, but some lead to job interviews.
Scotland's national skills body, which runs Apprenticeships.scot and publishes Scotland's Modern Apprenticeship statistics.
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.