The theme for this year, ‘Getting it Right for You’, aims to highlight the variety and flexibility of apprenticeship opportunities.
Ms Nicholl has said: “Access to education and skills development opportunities are the key to improved opportunities for our children and young people. For too long, too many have considered academic pathways as more valuable than a vocational route, but they are both equally valid and equally valuable.
“Apprenticeships offer qualifications at the same time as the opportunity to build real world experience in paid employment. Apprenticeship Week offers an opportunity to get more people and businesses engaged in the delivery of apprenticeships, but also to highlight the wider policy challenges that act as barriers to greater levels of participation.
“We must enhance and standardise careers advice to ensure our young people are fully aware of every option on offer for their future. We also need to devolve and reform the Apprenticeship Levy to ensure this funding is targeted where the need is greatest in our economy. Moreover, we need to see a step-change in how we view the vocational route, ensuring it is as respected and as highly valued as any other pathway.
“More also needs to be done by the Economy Minister to ensure that small and micro businesses here have the confidence and capacity to take on apprentices.
“Apprenticeships can help fill major skills gaps within our economy, including in the delivery of the green skills required to accelerate green growth here. As we mark Apprenticeship Week 2025, I would encourage all young people to consider whether an apprenticeship might be the right next step for them.”