Date announced for National Apprenticeship Week 2021

The 14th annual National Apprenticeship Week will take place from 8– 15 February 2021, Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, Gillian Keegan has announced today (21 September).

The annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships, taking place across England, will showcase how apprenticeships have helped employers and people of all ages and backgrounds. Employers are encouraged to promote the great work of their apprentices, whilst highlighting the many benefits apprenticeships bring to business. Apprentices, at all stages of their learning will also be celebrated over the course of National Apprenticeship Week 2021.

Announcing the date for the Week in 2021, Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Gillian Keegan said:

“National Apprenticeship Week is a great opportunity to highlight the amazing opportunities that an apprenticeship brings to employers, individuals and the economy.

“It has been fantastic to see how employers of all sizes have gone above and beyond to ensure apprentices can continue their studies during this unprecedented time. The week is also an opportunity to shine a light on how apprentices of all ages and backgrounds are helping to transform businesses across the country.

“As a former apprentice I know what a life changing experience it can be, and I’m looking forward to being part of National Apprenticeship Week 2021 and seeing first-hand the inspiring ways apprentices and their employers continue to deliver.”

The theme of National Apprenticeship Week 2021 will be announced later in the Autumn.

Version 8 of the guidance on the apprenticeship programme response to COVID-19 has been published  click here for details

This version focuses on:

• Information on the actions that training providers should take for the return of apprentices in September
• As apprentices return to work, assessment centres and educational settings, training providers, employers and EPAOs consider how best to minimise the risks of coronavirus transmission when determining how and when training and assessment takes place.
• Apprenticeship delivery can be extremely flexible and it is up to training providers, employers and EPAOs to agree how training is delivered, and how assessments are undertaken.  They may want to take advantage of more than one delivery method to balance any risks from coronavirus with providing a full educational experience.
• We ask that training providers, employers and EPAOs consider how much apprentices from different employers mix with other learners and staff when training in an educational setting or undertaking assessment.
• Updated guidance on workplaces and assessment centres.
• Additional information on local outbreaks, contingencies for outbreaks, and links to the wider FE guidance.
• Confirmation that we are planning to restart routine funding audits from September 2020.
• How apprentices who have been made redundant, or who are at risk of redundancy, can access online and telephone support through the Redundancy Support Service for Apprentices.
• Information on the new incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice.