National Apprenticeship Week 2022 (#NAW2022) takes place between 7 and 13 February 2022 and the theme of ‘Build the Future’ continues from 2021.

The 15th annual week-long celebration will take place across England, encouraging individuals of any age to reach their career goals by building their skills and knowledge through an apprenticeship. Peter Mucklow, director, apprenticeships, education and skills funding agency said on the government website: “National Apprenticeship Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the many benefits that apprenticeships bring to employers, individuals and the wider economy. “Apprenticeships build skills supply now and for the future, and form an important part of many organisations’ recruitment, skills and business strategies.

We want employers to showcase how they are realising the return on their investment when apprentices are brought into the business. “Apprenticeships offer outstanding access to skilled careers across a wide range of occupations and industries.

We want current apprentices from all sectors and of all ages to get behind the week and to demonstrate the positive impact of apprenticeships on their careers, families and communities. “I encourage employers, providers, partners, and apprentices to begin planning for National Apprenticeship Week 2022 now so we can spend the week collectively celebrating the impact of apprenticeships on individuals and our great businesses and public services.”

To support National Apprenticeship Week 2022 individuals, employers, training providers and communities can get involved by encouraging everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help #buildThefuture. A toolkit is available to support the apprenticeship community with planning their activity for National Apprenticeship Week 2022.

Thinking of hiring an apprentice?

Hiring an apprentice is a productive and effective way to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. You can employ apprentices at different levels, from school leavers and university graduates, to people who want to further their careers or change career direction completely. You can hire someone new or upskill an existing employee.

As an employer, you can get funding from the government to help pay for apprenticeship training. The government website www. apprenticeships.gov.uk has plenty of information and guides for employers about getting started with an apprenticeship scheme.

• 86 per cent of employers said apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation
• 78 per cent of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve productivity
• 74 per cent of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve the quality of their product or service

Other benefits of working with apprentices include:
• you can adapt their training according to the needs of your business
• they’re motivated to learn new skills
• you can expand and upskill your workforce

Industry case study:

Christeyns, who manufacture and supply detergents and supporting chemicals for the UK laundry sector, has recently taken on four new apprentices.

Isabel Hardwick has joined the firm as apprentice quality control technician following success in her A level examinations. Hardwick’s apprenticeship will last four years and incorporates working towards a degree in chemistry at Bradford University.

Danny Clarke and Tom Grundell have both taken up two-year apprenticeships as HGV drivers. During this time, they will study to obtain an NVQ Level 2 in supply chain and warehousing, as well as their LGV C+E (Class 1) licences. And last month Bradley Jones took on the role of business administration apprentice, after previously working for Christeyns on a temporary contract in the powder production department. Jones’s apprenticeship will run for two years and include studying for a Level 3 qualification in business administration.

The four new apprentices join chemical engineering apprentice Harry Coop, now in his second year of studying at Bradford University to achieve a degree in chemistry, and Hena Arif, a QHSE technician, who will study a Level 3 health, safety and environmental qualification in 2022. At the chemical manufacturing specialist, apprenticeships are very much a part of the business structure and play a crucial role in taking the company forward. “Our apprenticeship scheme is key for succession planning, identifying and growing talent to fill leadership and business critical positions in the future. This helps to keep the business at the top of its game,” states HR manager Sarah Stringer.

Providing young people with the right skills and opportunities is vital for the future prosperity of both Christeyns and the industry, and the company views its apprenticeship scheme as a crucial part of the recruitment strategy. Christeyns’ goal is to offer permanent roles to all apprentices who go through their scheme.

Christeyns apprentices, left to right: Bradley Jones, Danny Clark, Izzy Hardwick, Harry Coop and Tom Grundell

Do you run an apprenticeship programme?

We’d love to hear about the work you do with apprentices, graduates and trainees to encourage skills, knowledge and talent development in the industry. Get in touch and tell us your story by emailing editor@ laundryandcleaningtoday.co.uk

Find out more about #NAW2022 and apprenticeships

If you’re a business or an individual that is interested to find out more about apprenticeship schemes then you’ll find plenty of information, practical guides and a toolkit on the government website www.apprenticeships.gov.uk. There’s also a new resource hub to access useful guides and find out how employers can access incentive payments for hiring an apprentice.