Apprenticeship glossary

Visa sponsorship

What does Visa sponsorship mean?

When an employer supports someone's application for a work visa. Many employers, including Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, Williams and EY, say they can't sponsor visas for apprentices.

Apprentice
Someone doing an apprenticeship: an employee who is paid to work and train towards a recognised qualification at the same time.
Welsh-medium
Taught in Welsh. In Wales you can do your apprenticeship training in Welsh or English.
Work experience
A short placement to see what a job is like, usually while you're at school or college. Employers like Williams, BAE Systems and Laing O'Rourke run work experience, and it can strengthen an application.
Workplace pension
A pension your employer pays into alongside you. Many employers list it as a benefit; Sky, for example, says it contributes up to 9%.
Young Apprenticeship
A route offered by some employers that starts while you're still at school. Rolls-Royce, for example, lists a Young Apprenticeship that starts from Year 9.
A level
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.

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.