National Apprenticeship Week is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the positive impact apprenticeships make to people, businesses and the wider economy. The Group and its Colleges spent the week celebrating the benefits of apprenticeships across its social media channels and across various events.
Monday 9th February - Selby College Open Event
Selby College held an Apprenticeship-themed Open Event on Monday evening which invited prospective students and their families into the College to learn about the courses on offer and explore the campus. The Apprenticeships Team were on-hand throughtout the evening and delivered a talk for those interested in pursuing the apprenticeship route.
Tuesday 10th February 2026 - Employers’ Breakfast at Wakefield Trinity
On Tuesday, the Group held an Employers’ Breakfast at Wakefield Trinity, which proved to be a productive and engaging morning. Presentations were delivered by Chris Baker, Director for Apprenticeships at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, and Debbie Lee, Employer Engagement Manager at the Group.
Philip Parker, Director at InspirED; Emma Gregory, Matron for Professional Development and Education at the Mid Yorkshire NHS Teaching Trust and Laura Lavender, Director of Inclusion at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, led an insightful Q&A on widening participation in apprenticeships, with attendees contributing valuable questions that helped create a highly fruitful discussion.
Our School Partnerships and Apprenticeships Team also visited schools throughout the week, including Brigshaw High School's Career Event on Tuesday. The staff from the Group spoke to the high school students about the opportunities available to them at the Colleges and how they can join Apprenticeship programmes.
Wednesday 10th February - Wakefield College & Castleford College Open Events
By mid-week, it was time for the second round of Open Events - this time at Wakefield College and Castleford College concurrently. Once again, apprenticeships were the highlight of the evening with an Apprenticeships Talk taking place as well as a stand set up where those interested could learn about the opportunities available at the respective Colleges.
Thursday 11th February - Apprenticeship Awards
The flagship event of the week was the Group's annual Apprenticeship Awards which celebrating apprentices, mentors and employers from across the Group. Hosted at Wakefield Trinity RLFC’s Belle Vue stadium, the awards ceremony invited apprentices from its Colleges and their family and friends, employers and staff from the Group to celebrate the achievements over the past academic year. You can read more about the celebratory evening here.
