Why bother with National Apprenticeship Week? If, like me, you work in a school that serves a community with a strong working-class heritage, you may find that some of your most capable students opt out of higher education due to concerns about accumulating student debt. This is why National Apprenticeship Week is so important to feature in your registrations, lessons, and assemblies in school – it can help to show your young people that there is a path to degree-level qualifications, and beyond, that doesn’t incur student debt.
To help you out, here is a quick review of some of the resources that you and your Science department may find useful for National Apprenticeship Week (starting Monday 10th February). If you’re anything like me, you’ll be looking for ideas that are quick and easy to pick up and share with colleagues, and that help to promote Science/STEM subjects to students (and sometimes to other subject staff!).
Assembly Resources
Top of the list is always asking for an assembly slot – most SLT will gladly accept if you offer to run an assembly. There is a 7-minute informative video available, but be warned it’s hosted on Vimeo, which can be blocked by school IT policies. I recommend you watch it first to determine its suitability for your audience before presenting it in an assembly. Watch the Apprenticeship Assembly Film
There is also a ‘Big Assembly’ that you can register for in advance. According to the website, it will include “apprenticeship myth-busting, Q&As, feedback from employers, as well as former and current apprentices.” The event will be held on 11 February 2025, though the exact time is not specified (expect it to last around 30 minutes). You can also access past assemblies on demand, which allows you to choose the most relevant one for your local context.
Finding Local Apprenticeships
It’s always helpful to know what apprenticeships are currently available in your area when discussing options with students. The government provides a searchable apprenticeship database, and you may also find the Careermap website useful for locating employers and training providers near you.
Classroom and Display Materials
If you have support for displays, consider printing out some high-quality posters to promote apprenticeships. Here are some great options:
For interactive activities, you can use this Kahoot quiz to engage students in learning about apprenticeships:
Celebrating International Women in Science Day (11th February)
Tuesday 11th February is International Women in Science Day, making it a great opportunity to highlight apprenticeships featuring female role models in STEM. These flashcards include (but are not limited to) various engineers and lab technicians, helping students to see it and (hopefully) be it.
Additional STEM Apprenticeship Resources
As already shared by Louise Herbert STEM Learning has an excellent e-resource collection that provides information on apprenticeship roles, application processes, professional qualifications, and career paths.
Live Apprenticeship Events
Several organisations are running live apprenticeship information events. These provide an opportunity for students to hear directly from professionals and employers about apprenticeship pathways.
Virgin Atlantic Engineering Apprenticeships Webinar
Virgin Atlantic is hosting a live webinar and panel discussion with eight of their engineers, either currently completing or having completed an Engineering Apprenticeship.
- Date: Friday 14th February
- Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Register Here
Chemical Engineering Apprenticeships for Year 12 Students
A special event for Year 12 students to explore apprenticeship routes into Chemical Engineering.
- Date: Wednesday 12th February
- Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Tip: If you cannot attend live, still register to receive a recording of the event.
- Register Here
Final Thoughts
National Apprenticeship Week is a crucial opportunity to highlight alternative routes into professional careers for students who may be hesitant about university due to financial concerns. By incorporating these resources into assemblies, lessons, and classroom discussions, we can ensure our students are fully informed about their options. Let’s celebrate apprenticeships and show our students that a successful future doesn’t have to come with a mountain of student debt!