National Apprenticeship Week launches today, 08 February 2021, and aims to shine a light on the amazing work being done by employers and apprentices across the country.
As a result of the pandemic, National Apprenticeship Week 2021 is a bit different this year, but just as exciting. During this week-long celebration we will be highlighting some of the benefits of apprenticeships and celebrating the motivating stories of how apprentices have helped business adapt and build during a difficult year.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship combines practical training in a job with study. Apprenticeships are recognised as the leading standard for work-based training and there are lots of benefits for doing an apprenticeship or employing one. You can find out more about apprenticeships and check current vacancies on our apprenticeships page.
NEW: Download our new Apprenticeships Guide now!
What do our apprentices say?
We asked our apprentices to tell us about their experiences.
"I like the combination of learning what all the different departments in my workplace do. I get to rotate with them every few months, learning how the business works and why it works in that way. When I finish my apprenticeship, I'll have a Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, which is quite impressive really, and so hopefully I'll go into more of a managerial role or take on larger projects."
"I started off my career at Diamond Light Source on a 4-year apprenticeship before the one I'm doing currently and that was as soon as I came out of school. I felt like that was the best option for me. I wasn't necessarily academic to a point where I'd fit well with A-Levels and university, so I thought I'd take a different route, a bit more practical and has a balance between college and work."
"I'm in my third year of my degree. I did my original ONC back in 1996, so I started my qualifications, but I didn't complete the process as a typical apprentice would, so the opportunity arose for me to come back and actually finish off my qualifications. I'm hoping it will lead to a senior mechanical design position and then potentially move into project engineering management."
"I'm learning new stuff every day. When I first started, I wouldn't ever dare to go on the phone to a patient, but now I've built up my confidence."
What do our employers say?
We asked our employers to tell us about their experiences.
"Our apprentices help to design and build cutting-edge components for particle accelerators, lasers and satellites, pretty much from day one and they get to work alongside and be taught by a diverse range of professionals with years of experience and skill. I think apprenticeships are the perfect blend of theory and training, very much like you would receive at a college or university but combined with the opportunity to actually put that knowledge into practice within a workplace setting."
Who are the Apprenticeship Award winners?
The winners of the Apprenticeship Awards 2021 are being announced throughout the week on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, with a summary posted on this website on Friday.