Skills for Life: It all starts with an apprenticeship 

National Apprenticeship Week always shines a light on some of the many individual success stories across the country.  

This year’s, which starts on 9 February, will be no different. 

But its campaign theme for 2026, ‘Skills for Life’, is a timely reminder of just how impactful apprenticeships can be over the long term – both for apprentices and the businesses that take them on. 

Something for everyone 

Think of apprenticeships and your mind might turn to the traditional, age-old image of a young school leaver learning at the side of an experienced tradesperson. 

And while that is often a true picture for many, today there are so many different schemes and programmes available that one apprentice’s day-to-day experience can vary enormously from another. 

Yet whatever the trade or profession, all apprenticeships do far more than train people for technical tasks alone.  

They really do provide all manner of skills for life, from those practical elements to soft interpersonal skills, resilience, problem solving, teamwork and professional responsibility. 

Each of those elements is, of course, transferable – across jobs, across industries and indeed across every aspect of life, not just the workplace. 

It’s why apprenticeships are such a popular route for learners of any age, from those looking for their next step after education to people keen to change career. 

What really counts 

Some apprenticeships offer even more than just a route towards a chosen profession. 

It’s the ones that expose apprentices to real-world experiences and environments that provide the most value. 

While studying the theory behind the practical is essential, nothing quite beats the sort of uniquely hands-on learning that happens only when tackling real deadlines, real safety or quality standards and real challenges on real projects. 

It can help key lessons stick far more, while also developing a learner’s time management, communication and confidence at pace. 

That’s why construction is so well suited to apprenticeships. 

It’s a line of work that can naturally afford apprentices the opportunity to learn by doing through real-site training, picking up craftsmanship as well as a wide variety of transferable, cross-profession skills in the process. 

And the industry is also highly accessible when it comes to long-term development, with apprenticeships opening doors to lengthy careers, business ownership or leadership positions later on.  

Easier than you think 

For construction employers, apprenticeships offer an affordable, efficient and straightforward route to growing their workforce.  

They’re already contributing in efforts to address the sector’s much-publicised skills gap, training enthusiastic and committed newcomers to fill vacancies today and tomorrow. 

Businesses able to provide real-site training to apprentices can also benefit from getting new talent that’s ready to contribute immediately. 

Plus, 100% funding is available from the likes of the Apprenticeship Levy and CITB grants to lessen the financial burden of taking on an extra team member. Read our guidance on the grants available to help with the extra cost.

A new approach 

That’s why we’ve developed our own extensive range of apprenticeships designed with construction companies, for construction companies.  

Covering specific trades from bricklaying, groundworking and carpentry to timber frame installation and site supervision, these programmes are delivered by a team with real experience and driven by the NHBC Standards. 

That means they go above what’s compliant with Building Regulations to pass on best practice from day one – equipping apprentices with those all-important skills for life.  

What’s more, we’ve set up our purpose-built training hubs to give the industry access to state-of-the-art facilities that accurately reflect day-to-day site settings, too. 

Whether you’re exploring your next career step or considering how you can grow your business, we’d definitely encourage you to check out our apprenticeships.