National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) takes place from 10-16 February with the theme of ‘Skills for Life’. The week brings together individuals, employers and organisations to celebrate the value and benefit of apprenticeships, highlight the opportunities that they can bring, and to encourage more people to consider apprenticeships by showcasing exciting career paths.

An apprenticeship is a paid job that combines classroom training with practical on-the-job experience, resulting in a nationally recognised qualification. Available to anyone aged 16 or over, apprenticeships have no upper age limit and are suitable for both newcomers and those changing career. They range from Level 2 (similar to a GCSE) to Level 7, equivalent to a Masters degree.

Many of today's professionally registered engineers began their careers as apprentices. Here are just a few inspiring stories:

After achieving strong GCSE grades, Andy Cummings EngTech MIGEM MCIPHE, had several options but chose an engineering apprenticeship. It allowed him to earn money, gain employment experience, and earn additional qualifications. As Senior Training Manager at Ideal Heating, he finds the variety of work and meeting new people most rewarding. He works with different teams and delivers training sessions each week.

Rhys Strandt EngTech TechWeldI was inspired by his family’s business to become an engineer and so he pursued an apprenticeship after leaving school. His greatest achievement to date is becoming a Welding Specialist at Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery and pursuing a Masters degree in welding engineering. It is a role in which he takes great satisfaction in ensuring quality and integrity in his work through meaningful innovation.

Santina Bunting EngTech MICE embarked on a civil engineering apprenticeship despite her grammar school emphasising A levels. She wanted to combine her passion for creative problem-solving with hands-on experience in the field. She believes that being an apprentice allows her to be versatile in the work that she carries out, creating drawings and reports, while also learning from senior colleagues.

Shane Finn IEng MICE earned his degree through a Degree Apprenticeship and was one of the first three in the UK to pass the End Point Assessment (EPA) and achieve Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status. He is passionate about promoting apprenticeships and believes they offer significant advantages over traditional routes into the industry. He sees Degree Apprenticeships gaining more popularity as they become more accessible.

Many professionals also give back to the profession by mentoring or training apprentices.

Outside his role as Trials Conducting Officer at the Ministry of Defence, Stephen Miller MSc CEng FIExpE, is a Professional Registration Advisor  ), reviewer, assessor and ratifier for professional registration. He also contributes to the Education and Training Working Group, which guides apprenticeships at levels 4, 6, and 7 in Ordnance Munitions and Explosives.

Rachael Hart EngTech MICE takes pride in helping colleagues improve their skills, enhancing the team’s quality. She regularly mentors apprentices and volunteers in industry groups. She is also involved with 'Women in BIM' (Building Information Modelling) and an organisation focused on advancing BIM knowledge.  

George Monks BEng (Hons) IEng AMRAeS mentors several apprentices, guiding them with placement planning and working towards IEng status. He also serves as an ambassador for apprenticeships and Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers on   an online platform, where school and college students can learn about different engineering roles and career paths.

Find out how the Engineering Council supports apprenticeship approval and accreditation by visiting our website. Our course search database lists recognised programmes that are either accredited or approved by a professional engineering institution. You can also find the latest news on engineering apprenticeships.

Further apprenticeship information and resources are available on the National Apprenticeships Week website.