A MESSAGE FOR NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2026 – MD’s Blog
National Apprenticeship Week 2026 arrives at an exciting moment for our industry and for BPIF Training.
From 9 to 15 February, we join employers, apprentices, and training providers across the country to celebrate the real value that apprenticeships bring to people, businesses, and the wider print and packaging sector. This year’s theme, Skills for Life, is particularly meaningful. Apprenticeships are not just about gaining a qualification, they are about developing lasting knowledge, confidence, and professional identity. They shape careers, strengthen businesses, and help secure the future skills our industry needs to thrive. Every day, I see how apprentices bring fresh ideas, technical capability, and renewed energy into the workplace, and how employers benefit from growing their own talent. At BPIF Training, we are marking National Apprenticeship Week with a programme of activity designed to inform, inspire, and support both employers and apprentices. Throughout the week, we will be sharing new materials, powerful apprentice and employer stories, and practical guidance that highlights the real impact apprenticeships have in print and packaging. We are also proud to be launching two new key guides during NAW – our Employer Guide 2026 and, for the first time, our Learner Guide 2026. These guides reflect our commitment to making apprenticeships clearer, more accessible, and more valuable for everyone involved.
Both will be available to download throughout the week and will serve as useful reference points for employers and apprentices across the sector.
Reflecting on the past year
As we look ahead, it is also important to pause and reflect on what we have achieved together over the past year. One of the real highlights for me was our Graduation and Awards Ceremony at Warwick University in November 2025. Watching our apprentices cross that stage, and seeing their families, employers, and tutors celebrating alongside them, was a powerful reminder of what apprenticeships can achieve. It reinforced why this work matters so much, not just in terms of qualifications, but in personal growth, resilience, and ambition. Over the past year, BPIF Training has continued to strengthen the quality of our provision, deepen our partnerships with employers, and enhance the support we offer to apprentices. We have focused on strengthening our delivery, providing clearer guidance, and bringing greater consistency to our approach, so that every apprentice benefits from a high-quality and supportive learning experience. We have also worked hard to raise the profile of apprenticeships across the industry, showcasing success stories, sharing best practice, and demonstrating that apprenticeships are a respected, high-quality route into rewarding careers.
Looking Ahead
National Apprenticeship Week 2026 is a great opportunity to build on this momentum. I encourage employers across print and packaging to use this week 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 online conversation, your involvement helps strengthen the message that apprenticeships truly build skills for life. Throughout the week, BPIF Training will be publishing articles, case studies, and updates that reflect the strength and diversity of our sector. We will spotlight apprentice journeys, employer experiences, and the vital role our tutors play in developing talent.
Our Employer Engagement team will also be hosting a “Find Out More About Apprenticeships” session for employers who are exploring apprenticeships for the first time, a helpful opportunity to ask questions and understand the benefits. Most importantly, as we move beyond National Apprenticeship Week, our commitment remains the same: to continue supporting the print and packaging industry with high-quality training, strong employer partnerships, and apprenticeships that deliver real value. Apprenticeships are not just for this week, they are central to the future of our industry. I look forward to celebrating with you, sharing your stories, and continuing to work together to develop the next generation of skilled professionals in print and packaging.
