The week lasts from 10-16 February, and Mates in Mind are focusing on the message “Why is it important to support the mental wellbeing of apprentices?”
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is being ran by the Department for Education, and will highlight apprenticeships as a good option for young people to get started in a variety of careers, including construction.
This year will be a key year for the NAW with the government having established reforms for apprenticeships in England.
National Apprenticeship Week will allow connections to be made
Several aspects of the week will promote apprenticeships and inform younger people about them, including live employer events, a careers advice hub, and online events with several sponsoring companies that may also be searching for apprenticeships.
In July 2024, the Government announced Skills England to address the construction skills shortage. Since then, the programme has been established in phases and which skills will need funding, and functions were transferred from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education to Skills England.
When fully established, Skills England will have the responsibility for keeping a list of levy-eligible training to keep value for money, and will establish a strategy for post-16 (post secondary school) education to create more opportunities for younger people to enter the workforce.
Skills minister, Jacqui Smith, said: “We are focused on apprenticeships all year round, and I am looking forward to celebrating the achievements of the thousands who take on apprenticeships every year this coming National Apprenticeship Week.
“They wouldn’t have these opportunities without the support of employers who train these talented individuals in the skills we need for the future.
“With our new Growth and Skills Levy, we are giving these businesses greater flexibility over their training, and through Skills England we will boost opportunities across the country so even more people can get on in life and drive our economic recovery.”
Mates in Mind are promoting apprentices mental health during the week
Mates in Mind have published a statement containing information regarding apprentices and their mental health in the industry. This includes a survey of 550 apprentices that found:
- 73% felt stressed at least once in the previous week
- Only 33% said their employer or colleague would notice signs of poor mental health in others (the rest either saying they wouldn’t, or are unsure)
- 70% had never been given any mental health training, but 91% said they thought training would help them manage their own mental health.
- Just 55% said they would reach out to someone if experiencing stress, depression, or anxiety.
As part of the week, Mates in Mind are promoting awareness of mental health, saying that surveyed apprentices that have been through their training programme and that more respondents were able to explain what mental health is, spot sings of poor mental health in others, and feel more confident in approaching someone they felt was experiencing poor mental health.
