EKC Group celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) is proud to support National Apprenticeship Week.

National Apprenticeship Week marks an exciting time to celebrate apprentices, the employers who recruit them, and the incredible impact they have on the wider community.

This year’s theme focuses on “Skills for the Future” – something at the heart of everything we do across EKC Group. Apprenticeships continue to play a vital role in developing talented, confident individuals who are ready to thrive in the workplace, while giving employers the chance to grow the skilled workforce they need.

Across our family of Colleges and Training Centres, apprenticeships are helping thousands of people take their first steps into meaningful careers. From construction and engineering to digital, health, hospitality, and creative industries, apprentices are gaining hands‑on experience, earning while they learn, and making a real contribution from day one.

One alumna student who has gone on to secure an apprenticeship is Alice Tester, who studied at EKC Folkestone College.

Alice studied a T Level in Business Management and Administration at EKC Folkestone College, and after completing 315 hours of work experience with Walker Construction, as part of her course, successfully landed an apprenticeship as a Technical Bid Writer.

“Everyone at Walker’s was so supportive and keen to share their knowledge, and I think that’s what I really enjoyed, and I was very grateful to, halfway through, be offered an apprenticeship as what I’m doing now,” Alice said.

“Honestly, I loved every minute of my work experience with Walker Construction, but I really enjoyed going around each business department and learning about what everyone does, what the business does, and seeing how the business course at college related to a real-world business as such.”

For employers, apprenticeships are a powerful way to address skills shortages, bring fresh ideas into their organisation, and build a workforce shaped around their business needs.

Throughout National Apprenticeship Week, we’ll be celebrating employers who go above and beyond to support apprentices – and encouraging more to consider the huge benefits of taking one on.

The week is also an opportunity to showcase inspiring stories from apprentices themselves, learners who have grown their confidence, built new skills, and transformed their future through practical learning and industry experience.

Overall, National Apprenticeship Week is a celebration of potential, opportunity, and collaboration. Whether you’re a student exploring your next steps, an employer thinking about strengthening your team, or someone passionate about skills development, this week is a reminder of the impact apprenticeships can make.

Speaking on the importance of apprenticeships, EKC Group’s CEO Lucy McLeod said apprenticeships provide invaluable experience to those on them.

“Apprenticeships sit at the heart of our mission to empower our communities to develop their economic and social prosperity in a rapidly changing world. They provide learners with invaluable real‑world experience, while enabling employers to develop the skilled and innovative workforce our region depends on,” she said.

“National Apprenticeship Week reminds us of the incredible impact that can be achieved when education and industry work side by side.

“Across the Group, we are immensely proud of the dedication that goes into supporting apprenticeships, from our Apprenticeship Recruitment Team to the local employers who open their doors and invest in new talent.

“This week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the vital role everyone plays in developing the next generation of skilled professionals and supporting those already in the workforce to upskill and progress.”