Thoughts are turning to next year's National Apprenticeship Week, which aims to raise the profile of apprenticeships amongst young people, educational institutions, employers and the media.
The 2014 event - which will be held from 3 to 7 March 2014 - will mark the seventh year that the event has run, and everyone with an interest in apprenticeships is being encouraged to get involved during the week.
Co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service, the week is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have for both individuals and businesses. This year's National Apprenticeship Week was hugely successful in raising the positive profile of apprenticeships, with almost 1,000 events and activities taking place across the UK, generating much media coverage and boosting the number of apprenticeships on offer.
Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said of the event: "I am delighted to announce that National Apprenticeship Week 2014 will take place in March. This year, National Apprenticeship Week was a huge success thanks to the number of companies and young people joining in and celebrating the fact that apprentices deliver. It will be a tough feat to match this year's campaign but we will rise to the challenge and I encourage those who have not taken part previously to get involved."
Young people are being urged to get involved in the run-up to next year's event. Designers in Bradford are being given the chance to demonstrate their creative talents by designing the official campaign T-shirt for National Apprenticeship Week 2014. Garments should reflect the theme ‘Made by Apprentices,' which is hoped to highlight how apprenticeships can bring so many positive benefits for both employers and individuals.
David Way, chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “National Apprenticeship Week is a time to celebrate the countless achievements of apprentices and employers, and to call on more organisations and individuals to get involved."