The Parents' Guide to National Apprenticeship Week 2026

The Parents' Guide to
7 days ago
5 min read

It’s National Apprenticeship Week from 9-15 of 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 that want to get 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. It is a type of job-based training program 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) and classroom learning (a little). They can lead to recognized qualifications as well as career advancement opportunities. Apprenticeships are available in a wide range of industries, from construction and engineering to healthcare, finance or television.

Qualifications

Apprenticeships offer students versatility. Depending on their age, experience and qualifications already achieved, there are different entry levels for apprenticeships. The four levels of apprenticeships are:

Intermediate Level Apprenticeships: Designed for those who have completed GCSEs but have achieved few qualifications. They are intended to provide a basic introduction to a particular occupation or industry. They typically take 12-18 months to complete and lead to a Level 2 vocational qualification.
Advanced Level Apprenticeships: Designed for those who have completed their GCSEs with five GCSE passes or equivalent, and are intended to provide more advanced training in a particular occupation or industry. They typically take 12-24 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 and achieved at least 2 A levels (or similar). They are intended to provide higher-level training in a particular occupation or industry. They typically take 3-5 years to complete and lead to a Level 4 or 5 vocational qualification.
Degree Apprenticeships: Designed for those who have completed their education at sixth form, college or equivalent and achieved at least 2 A levels (or similar). These are designed for those who want to work towards a full bachelor's or master's degree while also gaining practical, on-the-job experience. They typically take between 3-7 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 of apprenticeship 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, apprenticeships can be taken in a much wider range of industry sectors and provide entry to all types of careers, including accounting, banking, IT, law, management and television. They are 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, the school's career 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 with 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 on and decide they wish 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 are young or unsure of their future direction, but needn’t miss out on getting higher level qualifications if they decide later that’s what they want to do.

Work and study

As well as doing the job itself, apprentices will 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/employer. Apprentices are also paid a wage for their time, so they will 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 are not based at home).

After the apprenticeship

Many apprentices are offered full-time roles with the company where they have 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 that have obtained qualifications through full time education, when applying for other jobs elsewhere.

The benefits of an apprenticeship

On-the-job training: Apprenticeships provide individuals with the opportunity to gain practical, on-the-job experience in a specific occupation or industry. This type of training allows individuals to apply the skills they are learning in a real-world setting, which can lead to a deeper understanding of the occupation or industry.
Recognized qualifications: Apprenticeships lead to recognized qualifications, which can help individuals to advance in their chosen career. These qualifications are often equivalent to those gained through traditional education routes and are recognized by employers and professional bodies.
Earn while you learn: Apprentices are typically paid a salary while they are training, which can help to cover the costs of living expenses and support the individual during the apprenticeship.
Career advancement opportunities: Apprenticeships can open doors to career advancement opportunities, as many employers use apprenticeships as a way to identify and train future leaders within the organization.
Tailored to individual needs: Apprenticeships can be tailored to the individual's needs and skills, which can help to ensure that the individual is learning the skills that are 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 they are training and often the employer covers the cost of training .
Flexibility: Apprenticeships offer flexibility, as they can be full-time, part-time, or even distance learning, which allows individuals to continue working while they gain new skills and qualifications.

Final Words

Taking an apprenticeship is not 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, and 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 will obtain valuable experience which will strengthen opportunities in finding rewarding work when the apprenticeship is over. Don't forget, there's no tuition fees to pay and they'll be earning a salary from day one.

Want to learn more? Take a look at The Parents' Guide to Apprenticeships