I am supporting National Apprenticeship Week 2019 (NAW2019), highlighting the benefits of apprenticeships to employers, individuals, local communities and the wider economy in a week-long celebration of apprenticeships.
The ‘Blaze a Trail’ themed week, running from 4 to 8 March 2019, is the 12th annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW2019) and will see a range of activities and events being hosted across the country, aimed at challenging the outdated views many people still have about apprenticeships.
The Week also highlights the huge number of high quality apprenticeship opportunities available at all levels around the country, in a huge variety of sectors, including aviation engineering, nursing, finance and policing.
MP’s, employers, apprentices, parents, schools and apprenticeship training providers have all shown their support for The Week through wearing an apprenticeship badge of support on social media channels; attending one of hundreds of events taking place across England and firing up the next wave of apprentices by encouraging them to join the Young Apprentice Ambassador Network.
Apprenticeships are not just great for our economy but a massive bonus for businesses and the apprentices themselves. Apprenticeships are beneficial for a whole range of reasons and this why I currently support them massively across the UK, in and around Daventry and in my own office!
My apprentice, Joe, has been working for me since June 2018, here is a short statement from him about why he decided to become an apprentice in Parliament.
"The idea of being an apprentice to an MP appealed to me massively, as I knew I would obtain a great qualification and gain the experience I need at this vital stage of my life. Apprenticeships are a great pathway to take, as the employer allows you to learn on the job without having to learn before you start your employment. This helps to progress your career more quickly. As you are working alongside studying you are able to earn a wage at an earlier stage of your life.”
Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Anne Milton said:
“Throughout National Apprenticeship Week people from industry, employers and across the public sector will be celebrating their apprentices and the amazingly positive impact they bring to the organisations that employ them.
“We want to raise awareness of apprenticeships, and we want to encourage more employers to start their own apprenticeship programme and really start to fire up their own business or organisation. Apprenticeships are for people of all ages and backgrounds, and this is a good time to kick start their career, maybe return to work or change direction and get on the road to a really great job.
“‘Blaze a Trail’ is the theme for the week so we are calling on employers to step up, take the lead and show how apprenticeships bring new energy and enthusiasm. The benefits are immeasurable for both business and individuals. National Apprenticeship Week is the ideal opportunity to celebrate the fantastic opportunity being an apprentice, or hiring an apprentice, can bring. Having MPs in their local area celebrating the hundreds of brilliant local activities taking place is a great way to highlight the great work being done. Fire it up - whoever you are and show people the trail you are blazing!”
Events taking place during The Week can be viewed on the Events Map.
More information is available on GOV.UK.
Follow @Apprenticeships on Twitter and National Apprenticeship Service on LinkedIn to keep up to date.