Employers, training providers and apprentices from all over the country enjoyed sharing their success stories during National Apprenticeship Week, which ran from February 10-16, 2025.
As in previous years, this annual celebration of all things apprenticeships received extensive coverage across all news channels, locally, regionally and nationally and of course, on social media.
Again, employers took the opportunity to show just how much apprentice programmes benefit their workplaces, while apprentices highlighted the many advantages of learning and earning.
Next year's NAW is already scheduled for February 9-15, 2026, but why wait 11 months to tell your story? Now is an ideal time to build on the positive publicity generated earlier this month and talk about your apprentice's achievements.
Large employers have in-house or external PR and marketing teams who put out their apprenticeship and training news to the media as well as online.
But there's no reason small to medium sized businesses should miss out. If, for example your apprentice has done well in their EPA, post that news on your website and on your socials.
As long as the apprentice is happy to be featured in an online story, then why not celebrate their success?
You might not feel you have the time or the skills to do this yourself, but help could be readily to hand. Like you, your training provider will want to promote examples of successful training delivery - and they can usually do so using their own marketing resources.
They'll interview your apprentice and put a story, with a photo together, which you both can use for PR purposes. They may even include a short video clip of your apprentice and issue the story to TV, radio, press and where relevant, trade media. What's not to like?
All apprentices who complete their training are worth a mention on your website news page or on your socials. They've done well and deserve recognition. A post, preferably with a photo, also shows you're an employer who cares about staff training and is offering opportunities to young people in your community.
Some apprentice stories though have 'newsworthy' written all over them.
For example, you might employ someone who has overcome serious obstacles to learning such as a language barrier, disability or a health issue. Or you may be celebrating the success of your first female apprentice in a traditionally male dominated industrial sector.
Your apprentice might have been singled out for an award by their college or been recognised by your company's trade or industry body. Or you might have been down the apprentice route yourself, done well as a result and now offer a similar career opening to the next generation.
These stories resonate with people.
IfATE has tips on how to promote your apprenticeships, including a PR tool kit. Take a look. There's some useful advice, but remember, you don't have to wait until next years to spread the news!