Supporting vocational pathways into engineering and technology careers
9 to 15 February 2026
Run by the UK government, National Apprenticeship Week is full of chances to connect, learn and dive into the world of apprenticeships. It celebrates apprentices, their employers, training providers, parents, schools, colleges, universities and contributing to the success of apprenticeships and skills across the country. It also showcases T Levels on ‘T Levels Thursday’, the successes and the students. This year’s theme across the week is ‘Skills for Life’.
We’ll be showing our support on social media and featuring how some of our wonderful Corporate Members are supporting apprentices in their organisations. We’ll also be showing our support for our other partners as they showcase their apprentices, T Level students and related initiatives.
EngineeringUK is an official partner of National Apprenticeship Week.
If your business works in Scotland, Scottish Apprenticeship Week from 2 to 6 March, may also be a key awareness Week for you to observe.
Things to think about
- young people want to become apprentices: 36% prefer at technical route into engineering and tech careers
- there were 353,500 apprenticeships starts across all subjects in 2024/25 with 29% of starts in engineering and technology-related subjects
- engineering and technology-related apprenticeship starts have increased by 5% since 2023/24, higher than the 4% increase across all sector subject areas
- female starts now account for 20% of engineering and technology-related apprenticeship starts, up 18% since 2023/24 and 94% since 2018/19
- 16% of starts in engineering and technology-related apprenticeships in 2023/24 were by people from a UK minority ethnic background, up from 8% in 2018/19
If we’re going to fill the skills gap in the future workforce, apprenticeships are essential!
Read more analysis on the data
Thinking of taking part?
National Apprenticeship Week is great for:
- showcasing different routes into STEM and getting young people in your communities to think about their future
- hosting an apprenticeships assembly at your local school, or an introduction to apprentices day at your office
- using your apprentices and professionals who took an apprenticeship to inspire young people
- inviting your current or former apprentices to speak to students at a local school
- showcasing the various apprenticeships available in your organisation to your local audiences and beyond
Introducing foundation apprenticeships
In September 2025, the UK government introduced foundation apprenticeships to open up more training opportunities for young people. Their introduction seeks to reverse a trend of declining recruitment onto level 2 apprenticeships.
Our report considers the need for foundation apprenticeships, and the issues that the government must address to ensure they succeed for young people and employers.
Learn more about attitudes to different routes into engineering and tech
Supporting young people to choose the right career path for them
Apprenticeships, T Levels, degree apprenticeships… it can be confusing for students to navigate their way through all the different technical routes into engineering. Use our All routes into engineering booklet to support your outreach.
Apprenticeship stories
Need inspiration for your apprenticeship programme? Watch employees at our Corporate Members talk about their initiatives.
Watch apprentices at our Corporate Members share their side of the story.
More about apprenticeships
Become a Member
Join our network of valued Members to promote the breadth of opportunities and pathways into engineering and technology. Together we can help grow the future workforce.
