National Apprenticeship Week 2026 is a highlight every year for JTL. We celebrate apprenticeships all year round, but this week – and with a ‘Skills for Life’ theme – we proudly worked with our colleagues, apprentices, employers and partners to champion apprenticeships and the opportunities they bring.
From MP visits and parliamentary receptions to centre open days, apprentice skills competition to the launch of a brand-new Female Apprentice Network, the week highlighted the life-changing impact of apprenticeships and the strength of collaboration across the building services engineering sector.
Here’s a look back at an inspiring and celebratory week.
Advocating for apprenticeships in Parliament
We began the week in Westminster on Monday, attending a prestigious parliamentary reception as finalists in the Apprenticeship and Training Awards for the innovation of our digital learning platform, LEDA (Learn, Educate, Develop, Advance). Being recognised at a national level was a proud moment for JTL and a testament to the hard work of our teams and parter, Titus Learning, who bring programmes like LEDA to life for our apprentices’ development.
JTL was pleased to attend the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Apprenticeships event on Tuesday, hosted by Toby Perkins MP. We heard from Skills Minister, Jacqui Smith, about a series of new government announcements which include linking apprenticeship opportunities to key infrastructure projects and securing local jobs for local apprentices.
On Thursday, JTL supported the ‘Opportunity Bromley’ event in Parliament with Peter Fortune MP, further demonstrating our commitment to creating pathways into skilled careers.
The week concluded with two important visits from elected Members of Parliament. On Friday, Employment Minister Diana Johnson MP visited our Hull Training Centre, touring the centre to see first-hand the impact of high-quality apprenticeship training before sitting down for an employer roundtable with electrical and plumbing business representatives to hear about the challenges they face. Meanwhile, Adam Thompson MP visited our Nottingham Training Centre, hosting an employer roundtable session with a number of electrical firms to hear about barriers to growth and how the skills system works for employers in reality.
The MP and the Minister have committed to taking the points raised back to Westminster and Whitehall on JTL’s behalf, working with us to effect meaningful change.
These engagements underline JTL’s active role in shaping the national conversation around apprenticeships.
Celebrating the people behind successful apprenticeships
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, JTL also launched a brand-new marketing campaign celebrating the people at the heart of apprenticeship success – our apprentices, employers and staff.
The campaign, created in partnership with Leeds-based agency Harris Creative, highlights the real relationships and support that make apprenticeships thrive. It features authentic employers, JTL delivery team staff and apprentices, highlighting how JTL works closely with employers to understand their individual business needs, while ensuring apprentices receive high-quality training and tailored support throughout their programme.
Running across digital channels including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, this people-first campaign brings to life JTL’s commitment to showcasing the real experiences that shape the skills pipeline and inspire the next generation.
Opening the doors to our JTL training centres
National Apprenticeship Week also gave us the opportunity to welcome prospective apprentices and employers into our specialist centres.
JTL Preston hosted an open day on Tuesday, followed by another successful open event at JTL Birmingham on Thursday. Both events provided an opportunity to explore our electrical and plumbing apprenticeship programmes, meet staff and learners, and learn more about how JTL supports both apprentices and employers throughout their journey.
We were pleased to be joined by employers, apprentices, industry partners and suppliers at these open days, and are lining up more events at our centres in the near future.
Female Apprentice Network
A particular highlight of the week was the launch of the JTL Female Apprentice Network hosted at JTL London South in Orpington.
This inaugural event marked an important step in encouraging greater diversity within building services engineering. The network aims to provide peer support, mentoring and a strong community for female learners across JTL – ensuring every apprentice feels supported, confident and empowered to succeed.
Apprentices shared their thoughts on what will make a network like this a success, and are keen to have a space to share challenges, successes, and experiences with their peers.
We’ll be announcing more events in different regions very soon…
Apprentices showcasing their skills
On Tuesday, second-year apprentices took part in a skills competition at JTL Ashford. Presenting their practical installation projects to a panel of judges led by Sean Upton, Director of EW Gee Contractors, apprentices worked in teams to pitch their work as if bidding for a real-world electrical contract.
The event showcased not only technical ability but also professionalism, communication skills and commercial awareness.
Driving the conversation online
National Apprenticeship Week also saw fantastic engagement across social media, with apprentices, employers, staff and industry partners joining the conversation and sharing their stories.
Throughout the week, JTL spotlighted a series of apprentice and employer case studies, showcasing real experiences and real impact. From apprentices reflecting on their journeys and career ambitions, to employers highlighting the value apprentices bring to their businesses, these stories brought the theme Skills for Life to life in a powerful and authentic way.
A week to celebrate
National Apprenticeship Week 2026 has once again demonstrated the power of apprenticeships to transform lives, strengthen businesses and build the skilled workforce our industry needs.
Whether in Parliament, in our training centres, or in discussions with employers, the message has been clear: apprenticeships provide Skills for Life.
A huge thank you to our apprentices, JTL staff, employers, partners and stakeholders who made this week such a success. Your dedication and enthusiasm continue to drive apprenticeships forward, supporting the next generation of skilled professionals.