GEARING UP FOR NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2026: 9-15 FEBRUARY

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2026 is fast approaching! Employers, apprentices, training providers and educators in the Liverpool City Region are all invited to take part. Let’s make our region stand out from the crowd!

It’s super easy to get on board, spread the word, and help celebrate apprenticeships and apprentices in our region. Read on to see the national themes for each day of NAW and to find out how to access official toolkits.

Skills For Life

In 2026, NAW will highlight how apprenticeships build skills, create opportunities for people at every stage of their career and support economic growth. Whether you are an employer, an educator, or looking to become an apprentice, there are loads of opportunities to fire up your next steps.

Daily themes

Day 1: Monday 9 February – Skills For Life

The week begins with the theme, ‘Skills for Life’. Events and celebrations will recognise the role of apprenticeships in equipping people with the behaviours, knowledge and skills to succeed in their work and life. Expect socials to be flooded with apprenticeship stories that highlight the roles of businesses, schools, colleges, training providers, and universities. 

What you can do:

Share a real-life story on social media or at an event to highlight the variety of apprenticeships on offer. Look out for the launch day post from Apprenticeships and Skills on LinkedIn. When you create your own content, use #NAW2026 and #SkillsForLife.

Day 2: Tuesday 10 February – Employer Tuesday

Tuesday will be about showcasing the value of apprenticeships to employers and businesses of all sizes and across all sectors. Messages will focus on how apprenticeships help fill skills gaps, boost productivity, and support the economy. 

What you can do:

Employers can highlight apprenticeship programmes by providing examples of how they improve productivity, support succession planning, and impact the bottom line. It’s a great day to have an in-house event to celebrate the achievements of your existing apprentices and encourage others to consider doing an apprenticeship with your company. 

Day 3: Wednesday 11 February – Apprentice Wednesday

Today will be all about apprentices, with current and past apprentices taking centre stage and sharing their experiences. They can talk about their real experiences, giving the next generation of apprentices valuable insight. 

What you can do:

Promote the Find an Apprenticeship service, encourage your apprentices to join the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network or let one of your apprentices take over your socials for the day – a popular choice with many!

Day 4: Thursday 12 February – T Level Thursday & Opportunity Thursday

A dual focus! During the day, messaging and events will help employers and learners get to grips with understanding T Levels.  Meanwhile, on Opportunity Thursday, the message everyone will be spreading is: every young person should be able to pursue a career that is right for them. Skills are key to this as they empower individuals to shape their futures. 

What you can do: 

Work with a school or college to explore and understand T Levels. Share internally how Apprenticeships are changing, and in particular, that Apprenticeship units are on the horizon. 

Day 5: Friday 13 February – Celebration Friday

Ignore the spooky date, this will be a day of celebration! This is all about sharing achievements and accomplishments. Plan now to arrange an event that recognises individual apprentices. You can amplify your events by asking them to be listed on the #NAW2026 Events Map.

What you can do:

There is a dedicated toolkit to help you arrange an event and support you in spreading the word. Why not download it for some inspiration?

Days 6 & 7: Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 February – The NAW Weekender

It’s not over yet. And if you’re not too exhausted, take a moment to reflect on the week. Maybe you have had a hero event, experienced personal development, or seen your business take a positive turn. Use the weekend to keep the conversation going.

What you can do: 

Finish the week by sharing your highlights from the previous seven days, and don’t forget to use the hashtags #NAW2026 and #SkillsForLife, and tag us @LCRBemore

Next steps

Now you’ve got the daily themes, all you need to do is choose which support materials to download. You can get your hands on the social media graphics at that link, alongside a choice of toolkits depending on whether you are an employer, apprentice, school, or training provider.

Get planning for National Apprenticeship Week now if you haven’t already. Let’s show everyone how vital apprenticeships are in the Liverpool City Region!