This week, GC Education & Skills proudly joins organisations across the UK to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week - recognising the vital role apprenticeships play in unlocking opportunity, supporting business growth, and strengthening local and regional economies.
Now in its 19th year, National Apprenticeship Week highlights how high-quality skills programmes open doors, create career pathways, and help people of all ages gain the confidence and skills needed to succeed.
At GC Education & Skills, apprenticeships are central to our mission. Each year, we support around 2,000 apprentices and work with over 700 employers, ranging from large organisations to SMEs. Apprenticeships impact every part of what we do - from supporting learners to develop their potential, to helping employers grow their talent pipeline, and shaping the skills that Greater Manchester’s economy depends on.
The Importance of Skills for Life
We see firsthand how apprenticeships transform lives and strengthen our communities:
- For individuals, apprenticeships build confidence, provide real work experience, and open pathways into rewarding careers.
- For employers, they help create resilient, future-ready teams and close critical skills gaps.
- For Greater Manchester, apprenticeships support long-term economic growth, attract investment, and boost local labour markets.
From supporting thousands of learners across key sectors, to partnering with employers at every stage of their growth journey, apprenticeships remain fundamental to delivering our shared goal of a thriving and inclusive economy.
To mark National Apprenticeship Week, Jon-Paul Rimington, Managing Director of GC Education & Skills, shares his perspective on the impact of apprenticeships:
“At GC Education & Skills, we’re proud to support learners and partner with businesses to build skilled, confident, and resilient teams that drive our economy forward. This success wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our colleagues and the close collaboration of the employers and partners we work with every day.
“National Apprenticeship Week is a powerful reminder of the impact skills can have and as an organisation that's dedicated to empowering businesses and individuals with high-quality skills and training, we're proud to support this annual celebration. Most importantly, it is a chance to celebrate the achievements of our apprentices, whose hard work and commitment to developing new skills inspire us all. Throughout the week, we'll be championing the value of apprenticeships, spotlighting the opportunities they create for workforce development, and sharing how our apprenticeships can help employers unlock talent, boost productivity, and build a future-ready workforce.”
Showcasing the impact across our organisation
During the week, we will be sharing stories that highlight the achievements of our learners, the businesses strengthening their workforce through apprenticeships, and share insights that reflect the many ways apprenticeships drive impact for people, businesses, and places.
Whether you're a business looking to build your workforce, an individual exploring your next step, or a partner working to support local communities, National Apprenticeship Week is the perfect time to explore how apprenticeships can help.
Discover more - employers.gceducationandskills.ac.uk/national-apprenticeship-week-2026/