National Apprenticeship Week 2018

Now in its 11th year and co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service, National Apprenticeship Week 2018 is a 5-day celebration of apprenticeship success in England, with emphasis on how apprenticeships are a great pathway to career success and a viable alternative to university.

Throughout the week, a series of nationwide and local events will take place; last year there were over 500 to choose from! The event gets bigger each year as apprenticeships become an ever-increasing popular choice for young people.

This year’s theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2018, or #NAW2018, is ‘Apprenticeships Work:’ #WorksForMe. Employers and apprentices from across the country will come together to encourage more young people to choose an apprenticeship as their ‘ladder of opportunity’, as well as educating new employers and the wider community on the benefits of apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships are now considered an equal to university, with many successful careers born from those who started out as an apprentice. From a Degree Apprenticeship in Digital Innovation at EY to a Software Engineering Degree Apprenticeship with the BBC, the number of opportunities is ever increasing.

“Apprenticeships offer real career opportunities and National Apprenticeship Week 2018 will showcase how apprenticeships work across all industries, sectors and job roles, from school leaving age to older apprentices.”

Sue Husband, Director, National Apprenticeships Service

#NAW2018 is set to be the biggest celebration of apprenticeships yet.

RateMyApprenticeship and global professional services organisation, EY, are hugely passionate about apprenticeships. Introducing young, enthusiastic and talented individuals into a business has huge benefits for both the employer and the young person. From injecting fresh ideas into a brand, improving productivity across all levels, introducing diversity into every area and reducing certain skill shortages, apprenticeships can transform how a business works.

Furthermore, an apprenticeship lets an apprentice flourish in a professional environment - RateMyApprenticeship found that a whopping 98% of students would recommend their apprenticeship to a friend!

The world is changing at such a speed, disrupting entire industries, and this creates a lot of uncertainty, especially for school leavers and their influencers who are already confused by the many opportunities available to them today.

Developing key employability skills is a lifelong process, especially those needed for the new world of work. Everyone now needs to be digitally savvy, regardless of their career path.

However, according to research by the World Economic Forum among 350 of the world’s leading organisations, there will be a continuing demand for high-value skills like critical thinking and complex problem solving. This will go along with a growing need for distinctly human skills such as creativity and emotional intelligence as we look to 2020 and beyond.

Apprenticeships at EY are serious business. ~

Our apprentices bring a fresh perspective; they add diversity to our teams and, in turn, additional value to our clients. The EY Business Apprenticeship and the EY Degree Apprenticeship in Digital Innovation both offer routes into our workplace studying towards the same qualifications as our graduates, with the same career opportunities upon completion. University is still the right option for many students, but it isn’t for everyone and it’s important that young people understand that there are alternatives.

The future is more complex, exciting, uncertain and competitive than ever before. Technology is changing how we work and creating new possibilities. It’s an exciting time for us, and an opportunity for apprentices working with us to have a real impact on business early in their career.

The transition from school into the workplace is a challenging one, and as employers it’s our responsibility to ensure that young people develop the skills and knowledge needed, to help them grow in confidence, hone their strengths and do amazing things at work.

EY apprentices are supported through a combination of world-class training, mentoring and coaching, empowering them to achieve their potential.

Steve Keith, EY Marketing and Communications Lead - Apprenticeships 
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