National Apprenticeship Week 2026 gave us a fantastic opportunity to celebrate apprentices, connect with employers, and spotlight the transformative power of skills development.
Across the week, Kaplan colleagues, apprentices, and partners came together to share insights, offer guidance, and champion the value apprenticeships bring to individuals and organisations alike.
Supporting events across the UK
Throughout the week, Kaplan proudly participated in a range of employer and regional events, engaging directly with aspiring apprentices and business leaders. These included:
- McLaren Apprenticeship Day
- Howdens National Apprenticeship Week Fairs in Manchester and Birmingham
- Halfords National Apprenticeship Week Event
- Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair
- The Power of Apprenticeships, hosted by Reading BID
These events allowed us to discuss career pathways, highlight apprenticeship opportunities, and demonstrate how businesses can build future-ready talent through structured training and development.
Representing Kaplan at the House of Lords
A standout moment of the week was Kaplan’s presence at the House of Lords.
On Monday 9 February, Kaplan attended as finalists in the Apprenticeship and Training Awards, recognised for Innovation in Training and Excellence in Learner Support. Jenny Pelling and Stacey Fitzsimmons represented Kaplan at the event, which was organised by AELP and FE Week. The evening brought together leaders from across the skills and education sector, including Minister for Skills Jacqui Smith.
On Tuesday 10 February, Kaplan joined the Association of Apprentices and the Chartered Institute for Further Education at an event hosted by Lord Lingfield. The event celebrated apprentices receiving PARS (Post-Apprenticeship Recognition Scheme) awards. Kaplan has long championed the scheme, and we remain especially proud that Holly-Mae Darling, a Kaplan apprentice, was the first accountancy apprentice to receive PARS recognition when the initiative was introduced.
Webinars: sharing knowledge and experience
Our National Apprenticeship Week webinar series brought together experts, employers, and apprentices to explore opportunities, challenges, and success stories.
Sessions included (links to webinars):
A particular highlight was Skills for Life: Mastering the Professional Transition, delivered by members of the Kaplan Apprenticeship Advisory Panel. Hearing directly from apprentices about their journeys, lessons learned, and career progression provided invaluable real-world insight.
The AI Skills Sprint
To mark the week, Kaplan also launched the AI Skills Sprint — a free, five-day initiative designed to help participants build confidence using artificial intelligence in the workplace.
The sprint featured:
- Bite-sized daily challenges
- Practical AI application as a productivity partner
- Confidence-building activities to demystify technology
- Career future-proofing skills
Each day explored a different theme (links to resources):
The response was overwhelmingly positive, with participants praising the sprint’s accessibility, relevance, and immediate practical value.
Thank you
National Apprenticeship Week is always a moment to celebrate progress, but it’s also a reminder that skills development is a year-round commitment. Thank you to our apprentices, employer partners, and colleagues who made NAW 2026 such a success.
Learn more about Kaplan apprenticeships or explore opportunities for your organisation - you never know where an apprenticeship can take you.