NAW 2022: What you need to know

You’ve probably heard a lot of talk about National Apprenticeship Week, from us, from school, from employers… But what does it all mean? Why do we have a week to celebrate apprenticeships? Why does it matter? Within this blog, we will explore these questions and more to help you make the most of NAW 2022.

What is National Apprenticeship Week?

NAW is an annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships that takes place across England. It has been running for 15 years and is a way for employers to highlight their apprenticeship opportunities and help young people to learn about why an apprenticeship route may be a good option for them in the future. 

Each year, the week has a slightly different theme. The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2022 is Build The Future; reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills.

What sorts of events and support will be available?

We are going to start with the events and support we have arranged for you on our Not Going To Uni Instagram page. Here are the live events you can participate in:

• Monday 7th February: One of our NGTU Ambassadors will be taking over our Instagram page to answer your questions. This will be via our stories and available all day.
• Tuesday 8th February: At 7 pm, Bloomberg will be discussing their apprenticeship programme.
• Wednesday 9th February: At 7 pm, one of our NGTU Ambassadors will be discussing her journey into her apprenticeship.
• Thursday 10th February:  At 7 pm, DHL will be discussing their apprenticeship programme.
• Friday 11th February: One of our NGTU Ambassadors will be taking over our Instagram page to answer your questions. This will be via our stories and available all day.

In addition to these live events, we will also be setting a challenge on our Instagram each day. By taking part, you will expand your knowledge of apprenticeships. 

Of course, we aren’t the only company that is arranging NAW support for students. You can find a full list of events on the government website and by using the Social Media Hashtag “#NAW2022”. 

Why take part?

Quite simply, the more you take part in at an earlier age, the more you will know about apprenticeships. The more you know, the more informed you will be when making decisions about your future. By “informed decision”, we mean that you have researched all your options and made the right choice for you, rather than just doing what is easiest or what your friends/family/teachers think you should do.

How to prepare

Here is a short checklist to help you prepare for NAW…

• Make sure you pre-register for any events that require you to sign up
• If an event is on Instagram, make sure you turn on notifications for reminders or make a note in your calendar so you don’t miss it
• When you attend an event, have a notepad and pen ready so you can take notes about anything you feel is important or that you want to remember
• Prepare questions if there are specific topics you would like to know more about

Importantly, don’t be afraid to be confident, ask questions and really make the most of the opportunity you have to find out more and help plan your future. Good luck and we hope you have a great National Apprenticeship Week!