Updated: January 2025

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is coming, and this year, it is worth spending a little more time than usual looking into apprenticeships since the government recently announced several changes to the scheme that could prove beneficial to you and your setting.

The week runs from the 10th – 16th February, aiming to highlight the great work that apprentices do, and to bring together people from across the country to learn more, share their experiences, and encourage more people to join the scheme. Apprenticeships are an excellent option for young people to consider when starting their careers. However, there are also many benefits for employers too, and many early years settings have used apprenticeships to recruit new staff with little financial cost to themselves.  

What Is An Apprenticeship, Why Are They Important?

Despite some encouraging figures*, the early years sector is facing a staffing shortage crisis and is in desperate need of more qualified staff, this means that more staff need professional training in childcare. According to a report commissioned by the Early Years Alliance, more than eight in 10 early years providers (84%) are finding it difficult to recruit staff.

The report, Breaking Point: The impact of recruitment and retention challenges in the early years sector in England, also found that 49% of providers have had to limit the number of places at their setting or stop taking on new children as a result of the crisis.

If you don’t already recruit apprentices and you are unsure where to start, read our handy guide ‘How to hire your perfect apprentice’. However, in the meantime, here are a few facts to get you started so you can celebrate to the fullest:

• An apprenticeship is a real job where the apprentice works, earns money and is an employee of a company with a contract of employment and holiday leave
• During apprenticeships, the apprentice is given training (usually by a relevant external agency working with the employer) of at least 20% of their working week to complete their studies, leading to a nationally recognised qualification or standard
• Apprentices can be school leavers, university students or people who just want to upskill or change their career, and employers can offer apprenticeships to existing or new employees
• Apprenticeships are usually a 30-hour week contract and run for a minimum of one year to four years, although some extended apprenticeships for part-time workers can take up to 6 years
• They are available in over 1,500 job roles including childcare, project managers, social care, retail, and advanced engineering and construction. The Level 2 apprenticeship is the ‘intermediate level’, which is equivalent to GCSEs but there are also Level 3 apprenticeships equivalent to A’ Levels, and they go up to Levels 6 and 7, which are equivalent to a degree. As an employer, you can get funding from the government to help pay for training

Benefits Of An Apprenticeship And NAW 

For early years settings, NAW offers unique benefits, such as: 

1. Offering new opportunities and attracting new talent 
   You can use NAW to attract new talent and fill vacancies in your setting. Apprenticeships provide a pathway for people who are enthusiastic and passionate about early years to gain a job and ‘earn as they learn’. This is one of the things that makes them attractive to younger people since they can gain qualifications and earn at least the minimum wage at the same time. 
2. Enhancing staff development and career progression 
   Apprenticeships offer structured training programs that combine on-the-job experience with off-the-job learning. NAW allows settings to promote the professional development opportunities available through apprenticeships. This can help current employees enhance their skills and knowledge too, leading to better-quality care and education for children. Apprenticeships that are currently available include:
   
   - Level 2 Early Years Practitioner
   - Level 3 Early Years Educator
   - Level 4 Early Years Teacher
   - Level 5 Early Years Leader 
   The time framework varies from 15 months to 2+ years depending on the level of qualification. The range of qualifications offered means that apprenticeships are not just for those starting at the first rung of the ladder. Apprenticeships offer a great way to enhance your existing staff’s skills and qualifications too. 
3. Advocating for the early years workforce 
   By participating in NAW, you can highlight how apprenticeships and training contribute to building a strong and skilled workforce in the early years sector. Apprentices bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, and sector-specific qualifications lead to a robust and adaptable workforce, capable of providing high-quality early childhood education. 
4. Helping retain staff 
   Investing in apprenticeships can lead to higher staff retention rates. When staff members feel that their professional development is supported, they are more likely to stay with the organisation long-term, reducing turnover and maintaining continuity of care. 

Recent Changes To The Apprenticeship Scheme 

In September 2024, the incoming government proposed several changes to schemes to make them more effective and accessible. Here are the key changes: 

• New growth and skills levy will replace the existing apprenticeship levy. This new levy will fund shorter apprenticeships, providing more flexibility for learners and employers. 
• Increased funding for small businesses with apprenticeships for people up to the age of 21 in small businesses now fully funded. This started in April 2024. 
• Large employers who pay the apprenticeship levy will be able to transfer up to 50% of their unused levy funds to support other businesses, including smaller firms, enabling them to take on more apprentices. 
• Reduced administration. 
• Focus on priority skills as identified by Skills England. 
• Greater support for younger workers with employers asked to rebalance their funding slightly for higher-level apprenticeships such as those at Level 7 (degree level) towards younger learners. 
  These changes were only outlined in broad terms, and will no doubt be refined in the coming months. 

Ways To Celebrate NAW 

National Apprenticeship Week is not just about finding a job or an apprentice! It can be a fantastic opportunity for you to highlight the importance of your own apprentices and engage with your local community too. Here are some ideas for how to best celebrate the week: 

1. Showcase success stories 
   Share stories and testimonials from your current and past apprentices, focusing on their growth and achievements. Use your social media channels to post articles about their experiences and successes, using hashtags related to NAW such as #NAW2025. 
2. Host open days and workshops 
   Invite prospective apprentices, parents, and community members to visit your setting, meet the staff, and learn about the benefits of apprenticeships. Organise workshops where current apprentices can demonstrate what they have learned and share their experiences. Follow up with a Q&A for attendees. Remember to include parents and carers too, and talk about additional professional development opportunities for existing staff to support their training and mentoring of apprentices. Offer learning resources and materials that can help apprentices grow and develop in their roles. The NAW website has a toolkit with lots of useful resources, which you can download here. 
3. Collaborate with local schools and colleges 
   Think about writing to your local school’s Career’s Officer or other educational institutions to provide information sessions about opportunities in your early years setting. Many of these places run careers fairs that you can attend to promote apprenticeships and attract potential candidates. 
4. Engage with local media 
   Send press releases to local newspapers and radio stations about your NAW activities and the positive impact of apprenticeships in your setting. You could even arrange for interviews with local media to discuss the benefits of apprenticeships and share success stories or run a podcast on the subject. Distribute newsletters or flyers with information about NAW and your apprenticeship programmes. 
5. Offer taster days and volunteering opportunities 
   Provide prospective apprentices with the opportunity to spend a day in your setting as a volunteer and experience the role firsthand, while meeting your team. Plan interactive activities that showcase the skills and knowledge apprentices could gain. 
6. Celebrate achievements 
   Present existing apprentice staff with awards or certificates where they have achieved a significant milestone or completed their apprenticeship. You can even run a celebration awards evening to recognise everyone’s hard work and dedication. Why not make it a Black Tie event and really go to town? 

By actively participating, you can raise awareness, attract new talent, and celebrate the contributions of your apprentices to your staff, your families, and the wider community, reinforcing your commitment to ensuring a brighter future for early childhood education in your area.