The Low Pay Commission has estimated that the increase for the Apprentice Minimum Wage will benefit up to 36,000 apprenticesNational Apprenticeship Week is just around the corner, taking place between 5th – 9th March. In this article, I wanted to cover what exactly the week is about and share some tips to help you prepare and get the most out of it.
So what is it?
National Apprenticeship Week is coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service and designed to celebrate the positive impact apprenticeships and traineeships have on individuals, businesses and the economy.
This year marks the 11th anniversary of the launch of National Apprenticeship Week and will bring together employers and apprentices from across England to celebrate the success of the industry and will seek to encourage even more people to choose apprenticeships as a fast-track to a great career.
Tips to prepare
- Be clear on your aims for the week, some use it for filling vacancies whilst other employers use it as a branding opportunity. Being clear about will this will ensure you’re strategic in where you place your resources.
- Remember the theme for the week – Apprenticeships Work – showcasing how apprenticeships work for individuals, employers, the community and the wider economy. With this in mind, National Apprenticeship Week can be used as an opportunity to inform internal stakeholders about the industry and not just potential candidates.
- Don’t forget that National Apprenticeship Week coincides with National Careers Week, another key branding and exposure opportunity which can easily get overlooked. National Careers Week is run as a not-for-profit company and encourages education providers to bring together students, local employers and advisers through careers events and activities. And so it provides a perfect opportunity to connect with schools and build long-term relationships.
- Double check your website to ensure that all information and dates are correct, better still, get someone else in the business to take a quick proofread.
- Look for inspiration from other employers such as EY, Capgemini and PwC who year on year deliver great campaigns during National Apprenticeship Week.
- Be aware of the key hashtags emerging that week and join in the conversation #NAW2018 #NCW2018.
- Submit any events you’re running to the national website for potentially more sign ups.
Most importantly, ensure you do something to be part of the week, even if you’re not actively promoting vacancies. This year will see the biggest National Apprenticeship Week to date (no doubt due to that thing called the levy) so make sure that you don’t miss this key opportunity.
Article by: Christos Orthodoxou the Founder of Class Careers
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