17 February 2026
From Monday 9 to Friday 13 February, East Surrey College marked National Apprenticeship Week 2026 with a series of events and talks taking place throughout the week.
On Tuesday, our Apprenticeship team were in reception to answer all things apprenticeships with a stand for passing students, followed by a dedicated ‘Apprenticeships Explained’ talk in the auditorium for all those considering this pathway as their next step.
The college also recognised the achievements of current apprentices by presenting certificates celebrating their outstanding contributions to learning. Apprentices were nominated by their assessors, with Jak, an Engineering apprentice at Rolls-Royce, receiving the Outstanding Apprentice Award, and Rhys, an Information Communications apprentice at Nexteq, being recognised with the Overcoming Adversity Award.
Wednesday brought many of our students to Sandown Park Racecourse for The National Apprenticeship Show, an opportunity for employers, training providers, and colleges from across the region to connect young people with apprenticeship providers. The employers covered a range of vocational courses studied at ESC including engineering, healthcare, IT, construction and business.
Digital Software Development students also attended the StartUP Sprint at the University of Roehampton. Learners worked collaboratively in teams to generate and shape innovative ideas for the employers who provide their professional fand constructive feedback. Students developed key work-ready skills including communication, teamwork and leadership that would help prepare them for an apprenticeship.
We also held a webinar on Wednesday evening for parents and carers on Apprenticeships to ensure they were well informed about this increasingly popular career pathway.
Mark Scrimshaw, Business Development Manager, who led our apprenticeship stand and talks reflected on the success of the week, saying:
“National Apprenticeship Week is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce our message – that with the right research and consideration, an apprenticeship can give our students the confidence to hit the ground running when starting out in their career. Doing an apprenticeship is a route that I’d advise all students to consider when thinking about their future, as the combination of hands-on experience, industry insight and a recognised qualification can really open the doors to a long and prosperous career.”
Learn more about Apprenticeships at East Surrey College
