Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2026: A Major Opportunity for Kent & Medway Employers

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Local Skills Improvement Plan
by Sarah Parrish

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2026, running from 9–15 February, comes at a decisive moment for employers across Kent & Medway. With significant apprenticeship reforms taking effect and local industries facing fast‑evolving workforce needs, this year’s theme — Skills for Life — is more relevant than ever.

For the Kent & Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), NAW provides a valuable platform to reinforce the vital role employers play in shaping a skilled, future-ready workforce across the region.

Major Apprenticeship Reforms Reshaping the System in 2026

Government reforms are designed to make apprenticeships more flexible, accessible, and responsive to employer needs. These changes create fresh opportunities for organisations of all sizes to develop talent pipelines and strengthen productivity.

Key reforms include:

  • Faster training routes (from Aug 2025): Many apprenticeship minimum durations will reduce from 12 to 8 months, allowing employers to upskill staff more quickly.
  • Streamlined end point assessments: New remote and flexible options aim to reduce administrative pressure and give employers more adaptable assessment pathways.
  • Improved access for adults aged 19+: The removal of Level 2 English and maths as a completion requirement widens opportunities for adult learners.
  • Refocused Level 7 funding (from Jan 2026): Public funding will be withdrawn for most programmes at this level for over‑22s, encouraging a stronger focus on entry and mid‑level development.

These changes position apprenticeships as an increasingly attractive route for employers seeking practical, flexible skills solutions.

Why NAW 2026 Matters for Kent & Medway

The Kent & Medway LSIP highlights the importance of ensuring employers remain at the centre of the skills system and reinforces the need to:

  • strengthen employer influence in curriculum design
  • build collaboration between training providers and businesses
  • align training provision more closely with labour market needs

National Apprenticeship Week amplifies these priorities, giving employers across the region a chance to:

  • Showcase their apprenticeship success stories
  • Inspire future talent through talks, workshops and outreach
  • Share insights with providers to help shape future programmes
  • Champion apprenticeships as a key driver of local economic strength

Your involvement helps raise the profile of high-quality career pathways and highlights the collective impact of employer engagement in Kent & Medway.

Local Engagement Opportunities During NAW 2026

Throughout the region, employers, providers and education partners are preparing activities to shine a spotlight on apprenticeships.

These activities reflect strong regional collaboration and the growing momentum behind apprenticeship promotion.

Apprenticeships and the LSIP: A Shared Mission

Our new Kent & Medway LSIP — due for publication in June 2026 — will continue to prioritise:

  • deeper alignment between training provision and employer needs
  • coordinated, sector-wide employer engagement
  • stronger links between skills policy and wider economic priorities

NAW acts as a key touchpoint to reinforce this mission and encourage more employers to shape the future of skills and workforce development across the region.

How Employers Can Get Involved in NAW 2026

There are many ways businesses of all sizes can participate:

  • Host workplace tours, open days or virtual insight sessions
  • Promote current or former apprentices through case studies, videos or social media
  • Take part in school or college events
  • Collaborate with training providers on curriculum development or careers guidance
  • Share apprenticeship vacancies on national and local platforms

Getting involved boosts your organisation’s visibility, supports recruitment, and contributes to a more resilient, future‑ready regional economy.

Looking Ahead

With the new LSIP approaching mid‑2026 publication, NAW provides a timely moment to celebrate progress, strengthen partnerships, and reaffirm a region-wide commitment to developing Skills for Life.

Across Kent & Medway, employers, providers, local authorities and stakeholders continue to demonstrate the power of collaboration in building effective pathways into work — and apprenticeships remain central to that vision.

Apprenticeships are more than training programmes; they are investments in people, industry, and the economic future of Kent & Medway.

Useful Resources

To explore toolkits, guidance, promotional materials and events for NAW 2026, visit:
🔗 https://naw.appawards.co.uk/

You can also use the interactive events map to discover local opportunities — including the Myth-Busting Apprenticeships for SMEs session at the University of Kent, further details can be found on our events page here.

Contact us today