Guide to Apprenticeships in the UK

The guide provides an overview on apprenticeships in each country and provides links to more information.

You can read the full guide here: A Guide to Apprenticeships in the UK (409 KB)

Question Scotland England Wales Northern Ireland
Who approves Apprenticeships? Apprenticeship Approval Group Institute for Apprenticeships Gov.Wales Dept for the Economy
Who is the qualifications regulator? Accreditation Ofqual qualifications Qualification Wales CCEA
What is the Apprenticeship target? 30,000 new starts by 2020 3,000,000 new starts by 2020 100,000 starts during the current Administration None confirmed. Approx 6000 starts 2015/16
Does the Levy apply? Yes - 0.5% levy on total staff payroll over £3m. Yes - 0.5% levy on total staff payroll over £3m. Yes - 0.5% levy on total staff payroll over £3m. Yes - 0.5% levy on total staff payroll over £3m.
What will the levy fund? How is it administered?   Apprenticeships only - Digital account for Levy payers/ Funding allocation for non-levy (interim) Apprenticeship Service Policy under development Policy under consultation
What Levels of Apprenticeships are available? Modern, Foundation, Graduate, (technical / professional) Intermediate, Higher, Advanced, Graduate Foundation, Apprenticeships, Higher Apprenticeships Level 2, Level 3, Higher Apprenticeships
Do Frameworks or Standards apply? Frameworks Standards Frameworks Frameworks
Is End Point Assessment mandatory? Non Mandatory Mandatory Non Mandatory Non Mandatory
Does the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers apply? No Yes No Yes
Who is the relevant funding body? Skills Development Scotland Education & Skills Funding Agency Gov.Wales Department for the Economy (DfE)
Is there a training federation supporting providers and stakeholders? Scottish Training Federation (STF) Colleges Scotland Association of Employment & Training Providers (AELP) Association of Colleges National Training Federation Wales (NTFW) N/A - Employer/Sector led
Where can I find information on the funding rates? Skills Development Scotland The Education & Skills Funding Agency Gov.Wales NIDirect.gov