National Apprenticeship Week 2026: what it is and why it matters to you
From retraining to degree-level roles, this week shines a light on paid routes into long-term careers across the UK 👀
National Apprenticeship Week is an annual UK-wide event designed to shine a spotlight on apprenticeships: how they work, who they’re for, and why they’re increasingly seen as a serious alternative to traditional education routes.
In 2026, National Apprenticeship Week runs from Monday, February 9 to Sunday, February 15, with schools, employers, training providers and careers organisations all taking part through events, talks, open days and online campaigns.
But what actually is National Apprenticeship Week, and why should you care?
What is National Apprenticeship Week?
National Apprenticeship Week (often shortened to NAW) is coordinated by the Government and industry bodies to promote apprenticeships across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The aim is simple, to raise awareness of apprenticeships as a way to earn, learn and progress, whether you’re starting out, retraining, or looking to move up at work.
Each year focuses on themes such as skills, opportunity, social mobility and lifelong learning, with real apprentices and employers sharing their experiences.
During the week, you’ll often see employers advertising apprenticeship vacancies, schools and colleges hosting careers sessions, businesses running open days or webinars, and case studies showing how apprenticeships lead to long-term careers.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job that combines working with structured training. You earn a salary while gaining nationally recognised qualifications, from GCSE-equivalent levels right up to degree and master’s level.
Apprenticeships now cover a huge range of sectors, including finance and accounting, digital, IT and data, construction and engineering, healthcare and social care, and marketing, media and creative industries.
They’re not just for school leavers either. Many apprentices are in their 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond, using apprenticeships to retrain, change careers or upskill in their current role.
What does National Apprenticeship Week mean for you?
If you’re looking for a job or career change, National Apprenticeship Week is one of the best times of year to explore options.
Employers often time vacancy launches to coincide with the week, and there’s more clear, accessible information available than usual.
It’s also a chance to challenge the idea that apprenticeships are “lesser” than university. Degree apprenticeships allow you to graduate debt-free while gaining years of work experience, something many employers value highly.
If you’re already working, apprenticeships aren’t just entry-level. Many employers use them to train existing staff, helping employees gain qualifications while staying in work.
National Apprenticeship Week can be a good moment to ask your employer what training opportunities exist.
If you’re a parent or carer, the week is designed to help parents better understand modern apprenticeships, which look very different from the schemes of the past
For many young people, they offer structure, income and long-term prospects without the pressure of full-time academic study.
If you’re an employer, National Apprenticeship Week is also about showcasing how apprenticeships help businesses fill skills gaps, develop loyal staff and plan for the future.
It’s a prompt to review whether your organisation could benefit from taking on or developing apprentices.
At its core, National Apprenticeship Week is about widening access to skills and opportunity. As the job market continues to change, apprenticeships are playing a growing role in helping people adapt, retrain and progress.
Even if you don’t apply for an apprenticeship this February, the week is a useful reminder that learning doesn’t stop after school, and that there’s more than one route to a successful career.