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'Build the Future: Train, Retain, Achieve' is the theme for NAW2022, taking place between 7 and 13 February 2022. The week is a celebration of how apprenticeships help individuals to build the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career.
National Apprenticeship Week 2022 is the 15th annual celebration of the positive impact of apprenticeships, and the role they play in ensuring the future workforce is equipped with the skills it needs. The theme of the week always encourages the UK to get fired up about apprenticeships (to be vocal about all the benefits they bring) and we at techUK certainly feel the heat!
Each month, an average of 23,000 apprenticeship opportunities are listed on the government’s Find an Apprenticeship site, while organisations — such as WISE, which campaigns for gender balance in science, technology and engineering, of which techUK is a supporter — are continually driving initiatives to help grow the number of apprentices in these sectors.
Given the success of digital apprenticeships, there is a need to pivot more people currently in the workforce to digital and provide entry points for young people who have been hit hardest by the pandemic.
While companies from large tech businesses to smaller companies are focusing on apprenticeships for skills development, there are parts of industry who, misguidedly, don’t believe apprenticeships will add high quality talent. It stems from a lack of understanding of what apprenticeships and what they can lead to.
This week’s National Apprenticeship campaign highlights just how valuable apprenticeships are for apprentices and employers alike and will re-energise the mission to make the apprenticeship levy do more than just work.
In a recent interview with Chancellor Rishi Sunak, techUK’s President Jacqueline de Rojas said:
"We need skills really fast and when you put that together with traineeships and apprenticeships you get people who can learn and contribute to industry much faster. We are all about widening pathways and getting more people into the skills pool."
techUK believes the week remains a fantastic way to showcase different routes into the tech sector, and throughout we will be posting insights, videos and interviews, where apprentices tell the stories of driving their career forward.
Follow the conversation using #NAW2022 and #BuildTheFuture on Twitter.
Brooke Richardson, Marketing Assistant Apprentice at Practice Labs, an award-winning virtual lab provider, shares her apprenticeship journey in the hope to encourage and inspire other young adults considering on-the-job training.
Harry Gooding, Director, Hays Enterprise Technology Practice - UK and Ireland writes about the ways organisations can approach skills gaps differently.
Liz Wright, Technical Services Apprentice, PAASE Digital explores what attracted her to an apprenticeship and why it was the best thing for her.
Salesforce's commitment to untapped talent stems from a steadfast belief that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.
Meet four Verizon Thrive Apprentices who share their excitement to begin their journeys on the V Team.
HPE spoke to 5 apprentices from varying business units and roles to see how they have found entering the world of work.
Laina Vincent, Degree Apprentice at Cisco, writes about her experience moving from work experience to degree apprentice.
By the end of 2020, Capgemini UK had hired over 160 graduates and 45 apprentices and are incredibly proud to have continued our commitment to increasing the UK early and emerging talent workforce.
Anushka Suman is a Data Analyst Degree Apprentice in the Group Network AI & Data Science team, and began her journey as a Data Analyst when she was just 18 years old (during a pandemic too).
BT Group today announced plans to recruit more than 600 apprentices and graduates for its September 2022 intake.
Global IT powerhouse DXC Technology has teamed up with Multiverse to launch a Data Academy, an apprenticeship program that will support the development of data and analytical skills among their staff. The first cohort to join the academy is made up of 10 apprentices, who will master data wrangling and analysis techniques – as well as upgrading their skills in data science.
Microsoft is launching an online apprenticeship platform that will connect more jobseekers with companies who need apprentices. The Microsoft Apprenticeship Connector is a partnership between GetMyFirstJob and Microsoft which aims to simplify the apprenticeship process by listing vacancies across Microsoft’s network of partners and customers.
Babcock International has welcomed more than 200 new apprentices and graduates to its Devonport operations. The aerospace, defence and security company said the 138 apprentices and 78 graduates will support a variety of projects and business areas, from life extension programmes on frigates and submarines, to advanced manufacturing.
Louis Field, Marketing Apprentice at Cloud Gateway reflects on his time as an apprentice at an award-winning tech start-up helping businesses to keep up with the pace of change in technology.
Josie Hedges, PwC's Tax Apprentice explores her life as an apprentice.
Read about why Microsoft business apprentices chose this path to kick-start their careers.
Daniel Bolarinwa, Technology Apprentice at Accenture writes about his learnings since joining the apprenticeship programme virtually in September 2020.
Guest blog for National Apprenticeship Week by Wipro IT Consultancy Apprentice, Maryum Khanum Mirza exploring her apprenticeship journey.
This National Apprenticeship Week, James Reilly, IT Support Apprentice at M247 provides an insight into how he balances work with studying.
Chizara Ogbonna, second-year Software Development apprentice at Accenture writes about her decision to do an apprenticeship and what led her to Accenture.
Guest Blog: Kyle Edwards, Apprentice Project Manager for Atos UK&I, looks back at his reasoning behind choosing an apprenticeship over a degree and why you should consider it too.
The roles will support Virgin Media O2 in its aim of upgrading the UK with first class gigabit broadband and 5G mobile services, while providing a vital skills boost to communities and the economy.
Dylan Morrison, Modern Apprentice & Senior Sales Assistant has written about his experiences going from work experience to apprentice at Dell Technologies.
Wipro's Sebastian Aleksander Biegala, IT Consultancy Apprentice (Project Engineer) writes about his decision to do a degree apprenticeship and plans post-degree.
Hannah Whelan is an Early Careers Recruitment Advisor at Fujitsu who is also a former Business and Administration Apprentice. Read her story.
Nicola Anderson, Head of Apprenticeship Development, Thales explores why she excited to celebrate the variety of apprenticeships available within Thales.
National Apprenticeship Week blog: Alice Neil, HR Administration Apprentice at BAE Systems Applied Intelligence provides insight into her typical day in her role.
Get involved and find out more by contacting:
Nimmi Patel is the Head of Skills, Talent and Diversity at techUK. She works on all things skills, education, and future of work policy, focusing on upskilling and retraining. Nimmi is also an Advisory Board member of Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (digit). The Centre research aims to increase understanding of how digital technologies are changing work and the implications for employers, workers, job seekers and governments.
