When engaged as an EEF apprentice, we aim to train and mould top class manufacturing talent but prepare individuals with the core assets required for the working environment.

We call these attributes 'functional skills' which are aimed to maximise our apprentice's capabilities in the workplace. Designed to empower the apprentice, functional skills target key attributes such as communication and presentation in order to give them the confidence to project themselves professionally within their new working environment. 

To achieve this, each year we involve our apprentices in National Apprentice Week which this year takes place during 6-10 February. Designed to raise the profile of apprenticeships amongst employers, individuals, teachers, parents and the media, EEF apprentices are tasked to become inspirational mentors for school leavers.

Evaluated as part of their apprenticeship curriculum, this National Apprentice Week will see groups of EEF apprentices visit schools around the local region to talk about the benefits of an apprenticeship.

Tasked with creating an audio and visual presentation, our talented apprentices will reveal their own personal experiences; why they chose an apprenticeship, what they have learnt at the EEF Apprentice & Skills Training Centre plus how they envisage their career progressing.

Working in tandem to promote the value of an apprenticeship to the next generation of manufacturers, we utilise National Apprentice Week as a mock scenario for our talent to practice their acquired functional skills on a live audience.

With last year's apprentices presenting to hundreds of pupils, teachers and head masters, and doing it to an impeccable standard, the pressure's on our latest talent to raise the bar.

Talent such as Nina Cataldo from Sandvik who previously told us that she chose an apprenticeship to do something different.

"I didn't want to follow what everyone else my age was doing. I wanted to challenge myself in the working world." Said Nina.

"An apprenticeship was my way to continue learning and bettering my education whilst at the same time earning money and not becoming tied down with student debt."

Nina is just one apprentice who will be sharing her insight with the world and inspiring the next generation of manufacturing apprentices. To read more about her journey, click here.

More information about National Apprentice Week can be found here and of course, if you’d like to talk to someone about becoming or hiring an apprentice, our experts are here to help.