National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2026 has come to a close, and what an inspiring week it has been. Across Greater Manchester, learners, employers, providers and partners came together to celebrate the life‑changing impact of apprenticeships, and the collective effort that powers our region’s skills landscape.
At GMLPN, we were proud to shine a spotlight on the people, organisations and stories that make Greater Manchester such a dynamic and pioneering hub for skills development. From championing “Skills for Life” to showcasing employer leadership, T Level progress, and outstanding achievements across our network, NAW2026 was a powerful reminder of why this all matters.
Here’s our full round-up of the week:
Skills for Life Monday: Celebrating 25 Years of GMLPN
We began NAW2026 by marking the theme Skills for Life, celebrating the transformative role apprenticeships play in shaping confident, capable and future‑ready individuals.
With GMLPN celebrating 25 years, Monday was an opportunity to reflect on our journey so far. For a quarter of a century, our network has been supporting providers across Greater Manchester to deliver high‑quality programmes and open the door to long-term skills development. We spotlighted the achievements of our members and invited the community to share their own Skills For Life wins, from success stories to moments of growth and progression.
Discover more about our 25‑year journey here
Employer Tuesday: Highlighting Employer Champions Across GM
Employer Tuesday allowed us to celebrate the organisations who make apprenticeships possible. Across Greater Manchester, employers continue to invest in future talent, create meaningful opportunities, and support learners to develop real-world skills.
This year, we were pleased to support the North West Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (NWAAN) through:
- An Apprenticeship Roundtable with Anthony Impey, Chair of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network & Skills England Board Member
- Employer engagement activities including visits to Melissa Timperley Salons with GMLPN member Evolve Academy
These interactions emphasise the crucial role employers play in championing and shaping apprenticeship pathways, and we extend our sincere thanks to every organisation who continues to support the next generation.
Apprentice Wednesday: Spotlighting Learner Journeys
Apprentice Wednesday is always a highlight of NAW, placing apprentices at the centre of the conversation. This year, we showcased powerful learner stories, including a feature from our very own Charlotte Jones, published by the Edge Foundation.
We also delivered our NAW webinar to nearly 200 attendees, focusing on learner experiences, progression pathways and real-world insights from across our network. The stories shared throughout the session highlighted resilience, ambition and the transformative nature of apprenticeships in unlocking new opportunities.
Read Charlotte’s story in partnership with the Edge Foundation.
T Level Thursday & Opportunity Thursday: Building Pathways to Future Talent
T Level Thursday: Welcoming Our First GMLPN Placement
T Level Thursday celebrated the growing success and visibility of T Levels in Greater Manchester. We highlighted the importance of industry placements and the opportunities they create for young people to gain hands-on experience.
A milestone moment for us this year:
We announced that GMLPN will be welcoming a T Level learner into our own team, with support from Oldham College.
We also encouraged our members to join us in championing T Levels by committing to the GM T Level Pledges for 2026 and beyond.
Opportunity Thursday: Growing Skills, Unlocking Futures
Opportunity Thursday allowed us to explore how skills investment drives growth, confidence, employability and economic strength across the region.
We spotlighted the Growth and Skills Levy, designed to help employers develop their workforce while supporting young people into meaningful, future‑focused pathways.
We celebrated every learner taking their next step into education, training and employment, and every employer investing in the workforce of tomorrow.
Learn more about the Growth and Skills Levy.
Celebration Friday: Showcasing Success Across Greater Manchester
We rounded off NAW2026 by shining a spotlight on the achievements of learners, providers and employers across Greater Manchester. Throughout the year, GMLPN has proudly sponsored and attended several awards events celebrating excellence in apprenticeship delivery, including:
🏆 Hopwood Hall Awards
🏆 Alliance Learning Awards
🏆 Rochdale Training Awards
🏆 Kaplan Awards
🏆 Salford City College Awards
These events highlight the dedication, passion and impact demonstrated by providers, employers and learners across the region, and Celebration Friday offered us the perfect opportunity to recognise their achievements.
We also shared a final reminder:
The GM Skills Awards 2026 nomination deadline has been extended!
Nominations will now close on Friday 27 February at 5pm.
Submit nominations via the GM Skills Awards website.
💚 Thank You for an Inspiring NAW2026 💚
National Apprenticeship Week is one of the most important weeks in our calendar, a chance to champion the sector, spotlight success, and bring together the community that drives skills development in Greater Manchester.
We want to thank every learner, provider, employer and partner who engaged with us throughout the week. Your commitment to skills, opportunity and progression is what makes this region thrive.
Here’s to another year of collaboration, innovation and Skills for Life.
