The UK's National Apprenticeship Week is an annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships that takes place across England to showcase how apprenticeships have helped employers and people of all ages and backgrounds.

The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2021 is Build the Future. and focuses on how employers train, retain and achieve with apprenticeships.

National Apprenticeship Week highlights the work being done across the whole apprenticeship community to promote apprenticeships and their impact - and successfully brings together apprenticeship ambassadors, MPs, training providers, apprentices, parents/caregivers, and employers.

Highlighting benefits apprenticeships bring to business

Throughout National Apprenticeship Week, employers get to promote the great work of their apprentices while highlighting the many benefits apprenticeships bring to their business.

Apprentices at all stages of their learning are celebrated over the course of National Apprenticeship Week.

To support National Apprenticeship Week, groups are being encouraged to get involved and celebrate apprenticeships and how they specifically:

• train apprentices, and future proof their workforce and careers though apprenticeships;
• retain apprentices, gaining the skills and knowledge needed by the business, and seeing apprentices thrive, whilst having impact;
• achieve a real return on investment from apprentices; realising the business benefits of apprenticeships, with apprentices progressing in their chosen careers.

Apprenticeships offer life changing experiences

“National Apprenticeship Week is a great opportunity to highlight the amazing opportunities that an apprenticeship brings to employers, individuals and the economy. It has been fantastic to see how employers of all sizes have gone above and beyond to ensure apprentices can continue their studies during this unprecedented time. The week is also an opportunity to shine a light on how apprentices of all ages and backgrounds are helping to transform businesses across the country. As a former apprentice I know what a life changing experience it can be, and I’m looking forward to being part of National Apprenticeship Week 2021 and seeing first-hand the inspiring ways apprentices and their employers continue to deliver,” said Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, Gillian Keegan.

Peter Mucklow, Further Education Director, Education and Skills Funding Agency also called on employers, providers, partners and apprentices to get actively involved with the opportunity. "We are...continuing to ask employers to encourage everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help build organisations for years to come; whilst showing the clear return on investment realised when apprentices are brought into the business. Employers are helping the nation to #BuildTheFuture through apprenticeships. The diversity of career options and industries available now, through apprenticeships, is outstanding. We want all current apprentices from all sectors to get behind the Week and to showcase the positive impact of apprenticeships, on careers, families and communities."

Learn more about employers offering apprenticeships

 An apprenticeship is a real job where offering learning, practical experience and payment. Apprentices are employees with a contract of employment and holiday leave.

Apprenticeships offer an exciting option because they offer hands-on training and the chance to put skills into practice.

There are many types of apprenticeships to choose from - offering flexible yet structured training.

Find out more