National Apprenticeship Week 2026 – Skills for Life – Download the employer toolkit
National Apprenticeship Week 2026 runs from 9 to 15 February and celebrates the value that apprenticeships bring to people, businesses and the wider print and packaging industry. This year’s theme, Skills for Life, focuses on the long-lasting knowledge and confidence that apprentices gain and the positive impact they have on the workplaces they join.
BPIF Training is marking the week with new resources, inspiring stories and a full programme of activity designed to help employers get involved. We will also launch two major publications during the week. These are the Employer Guide 2026 and, for the first time, the Learner Guide 2026. Both guides will be available to download throughout NAW.
NAW 2026 is an ideal opportunity for employers to celebrate their apprentices, promote the routes available in their organisations and highlight the essential skills that future talent brings to the sector. Whether you share a story, download the toolkit or take part in the conversation online, your support helps strengthen the message that apprenticeships build skills for life.
Get involved in NAW 2026
We are inviting employers across the print and packaging industry to take an active role in this year’s celebration. Your involvement helps showcase the talent in your organisation and highlights the important role apprenticeships play in building a skilled and confident workforce.
There are many simple ways to take part. You can share your own apprenticeship stories, promote the achievements of your apprentices, or use our ready-made social templates to join the national conversation. You can also download the Employer Guide 2026 as soon as it is released, explore the new Learner Guide 2026, or join our online session for employers who want to learn more about apprenticeships.
Taking part in NAW 2026 helps raise awareness, strengthens the profile of our industry and encourages more people to consider a career in print and packaging. Even a single story or post can make a real difference, and we encourage all employers to get involved.
What is happening during the week
Throughout National Apprenticeship Week, BPIF Training will share new content that highlights the journeys of apprentices, the experiences of employers and the vital role tutors play in developing skills. Each day follows a national theme and focuses on a different aspect of apprenticeship success.
We will publish articles, case studies and updates that reflect the strength and diversity of the sector. These include apprentice stories, employer insights and practical information for organisations that want to understand how apprenticeships can support growth. Our Business Development team will also host a “Find Out More About Apprenticeships” session for employers who are exploring apprenticeships for the first time.
Book onto our employer information session
During National Apprenticeship Week, BPIF Training will host Everything Employers Need to Know About Apprenticeships, a short online session designed for organisations that want clear and practical guidance.
The session is ideal for employers who are new to apprenticeships or want to refresh their understanding of how funding, recruitment and support work in practice. It also provides an opportunity to ask questions and explore how apprenticeships can help build future skills within your organisation.
We encourage all employers who are considering apprenticeships, or who want to strengthen their existing approach, to take part in this session. It is a simple and effective way to get the information you need to plan with confidence.
Click here to find out more and book yourself a place.
NAW 2026 Toolkit
To help employers take part with confidence, we have created a set of simple and practical resources that can be used throughout the week. Each item is designed to save time and support you in sharing meaningful content about your apprentices and your organisation.
The toolkit is packed with resources and ideas to help you make the most of NAW2025, including:
- Daily Theme Alignment: Tips and activity suggestions to synchronise your events and posts with themes like Skills for Life (Monday), Employer Tuesday, and Apprentice Wednesday.
- Social Media Graphics and Sample Posts: Customisable content to promote apprenticeships online, engage your audience, and connect with the wider NAW community using hashtags like #NAW2025.
- Event Ideas: Inspiration for impactful activities, such as:
- Hosting “Day in the Life” sessions for apprentices to share their experiences.
- Organising graduation ceremonies or awards evenings to celebrate apprentice achievements.
- Featuring panel discussions with apprentices and T Level graduates.
- Engagement Tips: Practical advice on how to increase participation and track the success of your events and campaigns.
Employer Case Study Template 2026
A clear structure that helps you capture apprenticeship stories within your organisation, including outcomes, achievements and the impact on your workforce.
NAW 2026 Themes and Celebration Toolkit
Guidance on how to align your activities with the national themes. This includes ideas for events, example posts and suggested ways to recognise apprentices.
Social Post Templates 2026
A set of easy to use post ideas and layouts that help you contribute to NAW with consistent and engaging content.
You can download each resource separately and use them across your internal communications, social channels and websites. They are designed to make participation simple and to help you highlight the value of apprenticeships throughout the week.
Prepare for NAW2026 Now
Getting involved is simple:
- Download the Toolkit: Visit the BPIF Training website to access the Celebration Event Toolkit.
- Plan Your Activities: Use the daily themes to schedule events, posts, and activities that highlight your apprenticeships.
- Share Your Success: Use the Case Study Template to document and share the stories of your apprentices, showcasing their impact on your organisation.
- Join the Conversation: Post on social media using #NAW2026 and #BPIFChampion to connect with the national celebration.
Together, Let’s Make #NAW2026 Unforgettable
National Apprenticeship Week 2026 is an opportunity to celebrate the transformative impact of apprenticeships on careers, businesses, and industries. With BPIF Training’s Celebration Event Toolkit, you’ll have the tools to make your voice heard and inspire others to embrace apprenticeships.
New for 2026: Guides for Employers and Learners
BPIF Training will release two key publications during National Apprenticeship Week. These guides are designed to support both employers and apprentices by providing clear information in a straightforward and accessible format.
Employer Guide 2026 – Coming soon…
This guide offers practical information on funding, recruitment, onboarding and the support available to apprentices and their managers. It is designed to help employers understand what to expect and how to make apprenticeships work effectively within their organisation. The guide will be available to download from this page during NAW.
Learner Guide 2026 – Coming soon…
This is the first edition of our new guide for current and potential apprentices. It explains how apprenticeships work, what learners can expect throughout their programme and how they can get the most from their training and workplace experience. The guide will also be available to download throughout NAW.
Both guides support informed decision making and help employers and learners engage with apprenticeships with clarity and confidence.
Additional Resources
Alongside the NAW toolkit and the new guides, employers can also access our Careers Guide. This resource is designed to support organisations that engage with schools, colleges and early career audiences. It provides an overview of roles and pathways within the print and packaging industry and can be used for careers events, outreach activity or internal development discussions.
The Careers Guide will be available to download from this page and can be shared with educators, parents, potential applicants and anyone interested in learning more about opportunities in the sector.
Employers: Get involved in NAW 2026
Your involvement is an important part of National Apprenticeship Week. By taking part, you help showcase the talent within your organisation and highlight the value apprentices bring to the print and packaging industry.
We are inviting employers to share their stories with us throughout the week. You can send case studies, images or short video clips to [email protected]. These contributions help us celebrate your apprentices, shine a light on your teams and present real examples of skills for life across the sector.
You can also use the toolkit to plan your posts, download the new Employer Guide 2026 and Learner Guide 2026 during the week, or join our employer session if you want to learn more about how apprenticeships support workforce development.
Every contribution helps strengthen the national message about the importance of apprenticeships. We encourage all employers to get involved and help us champion skills for life.
If you would like support or guidance, our team is ready to help.