The Parents' Guide to National Apprenticeship Week 2026
- Jan 7
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 22
It’s National Apprenticeship Week from 9 to 15 February 2026, a week-long celebration of everything that’s great about apprenticeships. It takes place every year, bringing together businesses and apprentices across the country to highlight the positive impact apprenticeships make to people and business.
Apprenticeships can be a great choice for students who want to gain more qualifications but don’t like school and can’t wait to get into the world of work. Could an apprenticeship be the best way for your teen to move towards their dream career?
Introducing apprenticeships: a great pathway to career success
Apprenticeships are a fantastic choice for many students, either straight after GCSE or after sixth form. An apprenticeship is a type of job-based training programme that allows young people to gain skills and experience and get further qualifications at the same time.
Apprenticeships involve a combination of on-the-job training (most of it) and classroom learning (a little). They can lead to recognised qualifications as well as career advancement opportunities. Apprenticeships are available in a wide range of industries, from construction and engineering to healthcare, finance and television.
Qualifications
Apprenticeships offer students versatility. Depending on their age, experience and qualifications already achieved, there are different entry levels. The four levels of apprenticeship are:
Intermediate apprenticeships: designed for those who have completed GCSEs but achieved few qualifications, providing a basic introduction to a particular occupation or industry. They typically take 12 to 18 months to complete and lead to a Level 2 vocational qualification.
Advanced apprenticeships: designed for those who have completed their GCSEs with five passes or equivalent, providing more advanced training in a particular occupation or industry. They typically take 12 to 24 months to complete and lead to a Level 3 vocational qualification.
Higher apprenticeships: designed for those who have completed their education at sixth form, college or equivalent, with at least two A levels (or similar). They provide higher-level training and typically take three to five years to complete, leading to a Level 4 or 5 vocational qualification.
Degree apprenticeships: designed for those who have completed sixth form, college or equivalent with at least two A levels (or similar), for those who want to work towards a full bachelor’s or master’s degree while gaining practical, on-the-job experience. They typically take between three and seven years to complete, and lead to a full bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Some apprenticeships involve a mix of levels; others may offer the chance to progress to a higher level as the individual gains more experience and skills. Want to understand entry levels at a glance? Take a look at our apprenticeship levels summary.
Career pathways
Apprenticeships used to be associated with trade industries (such as electricians, mechanics or plumbers). Nowadays, they can be taken in a much wider range of sectors and provide entry to all types of careers, including accounting, banking, IT, law, management and television. They’re linked to real jobs, so come up as and when companies need employees. Apprenticeships can be found on the government’s website, via job boards, through the school’s careers adviser, or from companies direct, on their websites.
Length of study
Apprenticeships can last for just one year, or as long as seven (or more), depending on the final qualification. If your teen isn’t comfortable committing to several years of further study, they can take one- or two-year options and still gain recognised, valuable qualifications. Better still, if they change their mind later and decide to extend the apprenticeship to gain higher-level qualifications, this is often possible. This means they don’t have to make decisions about long-term commitment when they’re young or unsure of their future direction, but needn’t miss out on higher-level qualifications if they decide later that’s what they want.
Work and study
As well as doing the job itself, apprentices get dedicated time during the working week to study the education element of the apprenticeship. This usually takes place at a college, university or other education centre. However, it may also be necessary to spend personal time completing projects and keeping on top of studies, so just like being in full-time education, there may be 'homework' during evenings and weekends.
Finance
Tuition fees for apprenticeships are paid by the government and employer. Apprentices are also paid a wage for their time, so they usually complete their apprenticeship debt-free. However, there will be costs for education materials, travel to and from work, and possibly living expenses (if they’re not based at home).
After the apprenticeship
Many apprentices are offered full-time roles with the company where they served their apprenticeship. However, if your teen wants to try a different company, or even a different industry, they’ll have first-hand experience in the workplace. This can provide a significant edge over those who obtained qualifications through full-time education when applying for other jobs.
The benefits of an apprenticeship
On-the-job training: apprenticeships provide the opportunity to gain practical experience in a specific occupation or industry, applying the skills being learned in a real-world setting, which can lead to a deeper understanding of the work.
Recognised qualifications: apprenticeships lead to recognised qualifications that can help individuals advance in their chosen career. These are often equivalent to those gained through traditional education routes, and are recognised by employers and professional bodies.
Earn while you learn: apprentices are typically paid a salary while training, which helps cover living expenses and support them during the apprenticeship.
Career advancement: apprenticeships can open doors to advancement, as many employers use them as a way to identify and train future leaders within the organisation.
Tailored to individual needs: apprenticeships can be tailored to the individual’s needs and skills, helping to ensure they’re learning what’s most relevant to their career aspirations.
Industry connections: apprenticeships provide the opportunity to build connections within the industry, which can be valuable when seeking future job opportunities.
Cost-effective: apprenticeships can be a cost-effective way to gain skills and qualifications, as the individual earns a salary while training and the employer often covers the cost of training.
Flexibility: apprenticeships offer flexibility, as they can be full-time, part-time or even distance learning, allowing individuals to continue working while they gain new skills and qualifications.
Final words
Taking an apprenticeship isn’t an easy option, and competition can be fierce. It takes organisation and dedication to balance work, where your child will be expected to contribute to the same standards as everyone else, with study. Holidays are far fewer than at college or university. However, if they learn more easily through practical application, the work-based nature of apprenticeships will suit them well, and they’ll gain valuable experience that strengthens their opportunities to find rewarding work afterwards. Don’t forget, there are no tuition fees to pay, and they’ll be earning a salary from day one.
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