National Apprenticeship Week 2026: What to expect from Access Industry

Apprentices and employers at Access Industry apprenticeship event

It’s that time of year again! National Apprenticeship Week has arrived for 2026, and Access Industry is here to help apprentices, employers, teachers, students and parents make the right decisions for themselves and their futures. What is National Apprenticeship Week? Held annually in February, National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a UK-wide celebration that was first […]

10 Reasons why 2026 is the best time to hire an apprentice

Apprentice venue technicians

The UK workforce is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in decades. Skills shortages, economic uncertainty, digital disruption, and changing workforce expectations have created a perfect storm for employers. Against this backdrop, 2026 stands out as the best time to hire an apprentice. Apprenticeships are no longer simply an alternative to university. They are […]

Meet the Apprentice Who Turned a Love of Performance into a Career Behind the Scenes

image of sound engineer at the theatre

Stepping into the world of live events doesn’t always start under the spotlight. For Theo Crete, it began with a curiosity about what happens backstage and led to a full-time career as a Production Technician at Bridlington Spa. After completing a week of work experience with the technical team at the venue, Theo discovered the […]

What is an apprenticeship? Here’s everything you need to know in 2026

Screen Lighting Technician mentoring apprentice

Apprenticeships are transforming how people learn and work, offering a real alternative to traditional classroom study, degrees, or training courses. Whether you’re finishing school, considering a career change, or seeking practical skills with pay, apprenticeships could be your launchpad. But what is an apprenticeship, exactly? And how does an apprenticeship work in today’s UK workplace? […]

12 Reasons you should apply for an apprenticeship in 2026

Creative Venue Technician apprentice

Choosing your next step after school, college, or even a career change can feel completely overwhelming. With rising university costs, competitive job markets, and shifting employer expectations, many people are turning to apprenticeships as a smarter, more secure route into rewarding careers. If you’re exploring your options for 2026, here are 12 powerful reasons why […]

What the 2025 Autumn Budget means for apprenticeships

Westminster and Big Ben

The 2025 Autumn Budget delivered one of the most significant updates to apprenticeship funding in recent years, particularly for SMEs who rely on apprenticeships to build skills, fill talent gaps, and strengthen long-term workforce capability. Whether you’re planning to recruit new apprentices this year or upskill your existing team, these changes can help reduce costs, […]

Meet the Apprentice Helping Bring Shows, Festivals and Live Events to Life

George Cheeseman, Creative Venue Technician

Meet George Cheeseman, our recent Creative Venue Technician apprentice. From discovering an unexpected career path at the end of college to gaining hands-on experience at major festivals and theatre productions, his story highlights how an apprenticeship can open doors to opportunities that classroom learning alone can’t provide. In this interview, George shares his experiences, challenges […]

How To Hire The Right Leader For Your Business

Hiring a strong leader is one of the most critical decisions you can make as an employer. The right team leader can galvanise your workforce, drive performance, and shape your company culture; the wrong one can undermine morale, slow progress, and destabilise teams. Whether you’re hiring a shift leader, a first-line manager, or are developing […]

Breaking The Taboo: 10 Reasons Customer Service Is A Good Career

Level 3 Customer Service Specialist

When you hear customer service, you might picture call centres or complaints. But that’s an outdated view. Today, customer service is one of the most dynamic, people-focused, and opportunity-rich career paths available, especially if you start through an apprenticeship in customer service If you’re aged 15–19 and thinking about your next step after school or […]

A Guide to Apprenticeships for SME’s

Business growth for SME

In the current competitive landscape, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face increasing challenges in attracting and retaining talented employees. Many are exploring affordable strategies to enhance their workforce while meeting industry demands. One often-overlooked solution is apprenticeships, which provide structured, work-based learning funded by the government, allowing SMEs to recruit new talent or enhance existing […]

Advancing on to Apprenticeships After A-levels

Female apprentice working on a studio light equipment

A-Levels are a great foundation, but they’re not the only path after sixth form.If you’ve completed (or are about to complete) your A-Levels, apprenticeships offer an exciting alternative to university. You can gain real-world experience, earn a salary, and work towards a nationally recognised qualification or degree, without paying tuition fees. Apprenticeships after A-Levels combine […]

How To Create An Effective Recruitment Strategy

Employer having casual interview with apprenticeship candidate

Recruitment is no longer just about filling vacancies;  it’s about finding, attracting, and retaining the right people who will contribute to your organisation’s long-term success. Since 95% of UK businesses admit to making at least one bad hiring decision every year, an effective recruitment strategy is essential to improving candidate quality, reducing time-to-hire, and even […]