Blazing a Trail with National Apprenticeship Week 2019

The 12th annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW2019) is nearly at an end, but there's still time to celebrate all things apprenticeships and get involved. Running from 4 to 8 March 2019, the yearly event once again highlights the fantastic opportunities that an apprenticeship brings to employers, individuals and the economy.

This year’s theme is ‘Blaze a Trail’ and as in previous years, NAW2019 will see a range of activities and events being hosted across the country. The week aims to change the perceptions people have on what an apprenticeship is and who takes them up, in a bid to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to take up an apprenticeship.

The week will also showcase the number of high quality apprenticeship opportunities available at all levels around the country, in a huge variety of sectors such as aviation engineering, finance, policing and of course plumbing and heating.

Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Anne Milton said: “Blazing a trail is what being an apprentice is all about and will be our theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2019. I want everyone to recognise the change that apprenticeships can bring - for employers blazing a trail to new markets, apprentices to new career opportunities and for colleges and training providers raising the skills levels for everyone.”

Keith Smith, director, Education and Skills Funding Agency said: “I want the 12th annual National Apprenticeship Week to be the biggest and most successful, yet. We want everyone to consider hosting an event or activity so more people get to see and hear about the huge benefits apprenticeships can bring to employers, individuals and local communities.”

National Apprenticeship Week 2018 was record-breaking, with 780 events taking place across England. The ambition of delivering a 10,000 talks movement - #10kTalks - to inspire the next generation of apprentices was exceeded, reaching over 33,500 people in over 300 schools across the country.

A further 130 schools hosted teacher-to-teacher talks, reaching an additional 2,300 adults, to support them to talk to their students about apprenticeships. The Big Assembly reached 20,000 young people with a live video stream, showcasing apprentices and employers sharing their apprenticeships stories.

For more information on NAW2019 visit https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/national-apprenticeship-week-2019 or follow @Apprenticeships on Twitter.