National Apprenticeship Week: Skills, Careers and Opportunities

Imagine starting your career with hands-on experience, earning while you learn and gaining the skills employers are desperately seeking. This is the power of apprenticeships, and this week, we are celebrating the incredible potential they offer.  

In this blog I will explore the significance of national apprenticeship week (NAW), covering the benefits for both apprentices and employers, sharing my experience so far, share apprentice success stories and highlight how more people can get involved. This week offers a chance to discover how apprenticeships can shape your future.

My name is Millie, and I'm excited to share my journey so far in celebration of NAW. I am just at the start of my apprenticeship, where I was welcomed into a supportive team and loads of opportunities ahead of me.

As we celebrate this week, I hope my blog can inspire others to consider apprenticeships as a viable and rewarding option. There's a world of opportunity waiting for you in the apprenticeship community.

 

What is national apprenticeship week?

National apprenticeship week was first launched by the Labour Government in the UK in 2007 and is an annual event that celebrates the value of apprenticeships, hoping to encourage more individuals to explore this rewarding career path and help businesses recognise the advantages of investing in apprenticeship schemes.

In 2020, national apprenticeship week went virtual (went online), this was down to the COVID-19 pandemic. This introduced virtual events and online activities becoming the norm and allowed broader accessibility to people from across the country. Recently NAW has placed a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Between 2021-2024, campaigns have aimed to ensure that apprenticeships are accessible to individuals from all backgrounds, focusing on underrepresented groups. These milestones show how national apprenticeship week has evolved over time, continuously promoting the importance of apprenticeships and encouraging greater participation in these valuable programs.

Some key goals of national apprenticeship week include:

• Strengthening the apprenticeship community
• Raising awareness of apprenticeships
• Encouraging employers to offer apprenticeships

Through these goals, NAW creates lasting change by driving greater awareness, participation and investment in apprenticeship programs.

My apprenticeship in Digital Marketing

Since starting my apprenticeship at Red Ant Solutions, I've had the opportunity to work on real life projects, whilst completing my course on multi-channel marketing to heighten my knowledge in the industry. I've learned different marketing strategies and how to work tools used within the industry that are key to my role. Even though I'm at the start of my apprenticeship journey, I have gained insights into the industry that I couldn't have learned in a classroom setting.

Of course, there have been challenges so far, including the amount of information in the marketing industry that I have had to take on in a small amount of time. However, with the support of my mentor and colleagues, I was able to overcome this challenge, and it has made me more confident in my abilities.

I've always had a passion for creativity and problem solving, and multi-channel marketing allows me to blend these skills. Crafting campaigns that resonate with audiences across multiple channels excites me because I know it requires a deep understanding of both the customer journey and tools available.

Another reason I chose this field is because the marketing industry is always evolving, especially with the rise of new platforms and technologies. I wanted to be part of an industry that constantly challenges me to learn new skills, stay ahead of trends and adapt t shifting consumer behaviour.

After completing my apprenticeship, I envision myself as a confident skilled marketing professional with a strong foundation in multiple marketing strategies. With my newfound skills, I hope to take on more responsibilities, such as leading small projects or mentoring new apprentices. By understanding the areas of marketing, I enjoy the most – whether its analytics, content creation or social media management – I'll have a clearer vision of my long-term career goals. I will hopefully be ready to tackle new challenges using my new skills, and make a meaningful impact to the industry.

 

Why did I choose an apprenticeship over university? 

Apprenticeships allow you to earn a salary from day one, unlike university where students often accumulate debt while studying. This was a significant advantage for me as I wanted to avoid student loans. I also liked the idea that apprenticeships provide real-world, on the job training, allowing me to learn practical skills directly within my chosen field, whereas university is a classroom setting without any hands-on experience.

In summary, university offers a traditional route to higher education and academic qualifications, apprenticeships provide a more practical, hands-on approach to learning, with the added benefits of earning while you learn, gaining real-world experience, and reducing student debt, and this was by far a more appealing option to me.

Benefits of an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships provide a direct route to a career. Many secure full-time employments with the company that trained them, offering stability and job security. They are also available across a wide range of industries, allowing individuals to choose from numerous career paths and specialisations.

Secondly, apprenticeships provide on-the-job training in a real-world environment, enabling individuals to develop practical, hands-on skills that employers value. This includes technical skills (e.g. software development) and soft skills (e.g. communication) they also combine work with classroom learning, ensuring a balanced education and receiving support from mentors and training providers to develop both the theoretical and practical aspects of their role.

Lastly, apprentices earn a wage while gaining valuable experiences. This allows them to financially support themselves while learning, which contrasts with the debt often associated with traditional university. While the wages may vary by industry and location, many offer competitive starting salaries, with opportunities for pay to increase as skills and experience grow.

In summary, apprenticeships are a powerful way to jump start your career. These programs not only equip individuals with the skills they need to succeed but also provide a clear path to advancement, making them an attractive option for anyone looking to build a successful career without the traditional academic route.

Apprentice Success Story

Here I have a written quote from one of my colleagues who previously completed an apprenticeship, and is now working full time within the same company, here she discusses why she chose this career path, how she found her apprenticeship, and the success she got out of it, including the challenges that came with it. Read below to dive into Laras personal experience:

“I started this apprenticeship to give myself real-world experience. I was debating between going to university and opting for an additional year to allow for a work placement or choosing an apprenticeship.

The reason I chose the apprenticeship in the end was because I felt that it gave me more control. At University you are set modules, and while there is some flexibility and opportunities for independent ventures within them, I felt as though it was too tied to a curriculum over dynamic experience. As an apprentice, you are required to invest 20% of your working week into ‘off-the-job’ hours. This is a great opportunity to be able to spend time looking into and learning areas of the industry that are of your own interest. For example, I particularly enjoyed writing news articles and editorials from my background with English language, and therefore I was able to invest some of this time into accessing some of the best industry courses in the likes of SEMrush, assessing my work in industry tools against AI detection such as Quill Bot, as well as receive feedback from high-up industry professionals who could provide great insight as to where to improve.

Essentially, doing an apprenticeship gives you access to real workplace equipment, experience and expertise that a curriculum-based course cannot be as flexible to.

I loved my apprenticeship journey. I was initially worried that I would be looked down upon or not given the responsibility that I was looking for in a workplace. I was soon proven wrong, with everyone in the office pushing me to learn as much as I could, to spread myself across as many projects as possible.

Over time, I was handed my own client list. While it was hard at first to be sure of myself and have confidence in what I was doing, the internal support from my colleagues drove me to push myself. Since then, I have received some great feedback and gratitude from my clients whom I have now been independently managing for over a year and have seen fantastic progress in their campaigns. 

This has been invaluable to my career moving forward. Within each of my projects different problems have occurred, and I have felt an immense sense of pride in the resolution of them. This journey has taught me that I am more capable than I think, and that pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone is the only way to move forward.

To anybody who has just started their apprenticeship, or is looking into them as the option, I have the following advice:

“Believe in yourself. Remember, everybody wants you to learn as much as you can. You will make mistakes, but that’s why you are on an apprenticeship! Nobody expects you to know everything on day 1. Make the most of it and learn as much as you can.” - Lara Howie

 

Get Involved

Whether you're an aspiring apprentice or a business looking to participate, there are many ways you can get involved.

During national apprenticeship week, there are career fairs, workshops and virtual seminars hosted by training providers, employers and industry professionals, designed to showcase opportunities and provide insight into different industries, you can check local community boards or education institutions for updates on events in your area. To find events you can attend, whether that be in person or virtually, you can look at the national apprenticeship week website.

Practice interview skills and create a strong CV that highlights your enthusiasm, do things like research companies and industries to stand out as a candidate. You can also reach out to career advisors at schools, colleges or community centres, it can be extremely helpful to provide you with free knowledge on where to look, how you can get there and help guide you on making a decision on what career path you want to take and the industry you want to do so in. To find apprenticeships from all different industries, you can look at the government listings through their website, including the CV I have recommended for you to write.

For businesses, offering apprenticeship opportunities can demonstrate commitment to developing young talent and supporting the local community. This can enhance your reputation as a socially responsible employee. Businesses that invest in apprenticeships become more attractive to ambitious individuals seeking growth and development opportunities, widening your pool of talent.

Apprenticeships nurture future leaders who understand the business deeply, creating sustainable talent pipeline for management and specialist roles, and any business with skilled, loyal and innovative teams are better positioned to succeed and grow in the long term.

Act today and get in get involved in national apprenticeship week, it's the perfect opportunity to make a difference. Whether you're an aspiring apprentice or a business looking to invest in the future, there are countless ways to get involved, join us in celebrating the impact of apprenticeships and take the first step towards building brighter futures for all.

For employers, you can showcase your opportunities by promoting your programs, host or attend events like virtual seminars or open days to connect future apprentices and make a commitment to offer apprenticeships to grow your workforce and support the next generation of skilled professionals.

For students, research programs in your area, attend workshops and apply for roles that align with your career goals, attend workshops and apply for roles that align with your career goals, attend events to participate in local or virtual events to learn more about how apprenticeships can shape your future, and spread the word. Share your interest in apprenticeships with friends and family and encourage others to explore this incredible pathway.

 

Apprenticeships are more than just a career path – they are a gateway to growth, innovation and opportunity. They empower individuals to learn by doing, build real-world skills, and unlock their potential. For businesses, apprenticeships are a chance to invest in fresh talent, shape the future workforce, and drive meaningful change.

National apprenticeship week is a time for action and impact. Let's work together to champion opportunities, develop skills and celebrate success.

Get involved today and be part of the change.