York celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

City of York Council is joining local employers and apprentices to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make during National Apprenticeship Week next week [6-12 February].

The theme for the 16^th annual National Apprenticeship Week is ‘Skills for Life’, reflecting how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career and help businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with skills for the future.

Local businesses and individuals interested in apprenticeships can find out more at the Skills for Life Apprenticeship Fair at York Racecourse from 1-6pm next Wednesday [8 February].

Up to 80 local businesses and providers will be showcasing apprenticeship vacancies and offering advice at the event, which has been organised by York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Apprenticeship Hub in partnership with NYBEP and City of York Council.

The event is aimed at anyone wanting to start their career, up-skill or re-train and will include a diverse range of learning opportunities on offer across the region.

Councillor Andrew Waller, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, including skills, said: “Apprenticeships continue to play a critical role in York’s economic recovery post lockdown, supporting local businesses to expand and diversify; and ensuring we have a highly skilled workforce in the city.

“I’m pleased that the council is able to support apprenticeships to flourish in York, both through our impartial Apprenticeship Hub, which provides expert advice to businesses and budding apprentices; and with financial support through the Apprenticeship Levy Scheme which is enabling more of this money to be retained within York.”

 The national Apprenticeship Levy Transfer scheme enables levy-paying employers to use a percentage of their levy to fully fund the apprenticeship training and assessment costs for small to medium sized businesses in their area, helping connect them to their future workforce or boost productivity by upskilling existing teams.

To date, the council has committed more than £190,000 of apprenticeship levy funds to support both new apprentice recruits, and existing employees in York businesses to develop their skills.

Seven local businesses have already benefited from the funding, which has provided 36 new and existing employees with the skills they need from entry level up to Masters Degree level.

For free, impartial information and advice about apprenticeships in a wide range of careers, for people of all ages, email

york.apprenticeships@york.gov.uk or visit www.york.gov.uk/apprenticeships