Celebrating Skills and Opportunity:
National Apprenticeship Week 2026

National Apprenticeship Week 2026 provides an important moment to recognise the value apprenticeships bring to the engineering and manufacturing sectors. As the demand for highly skilled talent continues to grow across Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), apprenticeships remain one of the most effective routes for individuals to gain practical experience while developing the technical capability required in modern industrial environments.

Apprenticeships blend hands-on learning with academic study, enabling individuals to earn while they develop real-world skills. From day one, apprentices build confidence, technical competence, and a strong understanding of industry practices. Alongside engineering skills, they also develop essential professional attributes such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. Such qualities are fundamental to long-term career success.

At VA Technology, we are committed to supporting and developing future talent. Our long-standing partnership with In-Comm Training in Telford allows us to welcome Level 3 and HNC Level 4 apprentices into the company, offering structured training across a wide range of disciplines, including fitting, turning, milling, welding, electrical work, CNC machining, CAD, and fluid power. This collaboration reflects our dedication to strengthening the workforce and ensuring the continued growth of our industry. Recruitment for our next apprenticeship intake will open ahead of September 2026.

Apprentice Spotlight: Joel Gidda, Year 1

We are pleased to highlight the achievements of Joel Gidda, one of our Year 1 Engineering Apprentices, who has recently been appointed as an Apprenticeship Ambassador. “My apprenticeship at VA Technology allows me to learn directly from industry professionals while developing the practical skills needed for a long- term career in engineering. Being chosen as an In-comm Ambassador is a real honour, as it allows me to promote apprenticeships and inspire others to consider engineering pathways. It’s a role that carries responsibility and purpose, alongside an apprenticeship that challenges me every day. I truly believe gaining this experience is invaluable as classroom work can only take you so far. The excellent training provided by In-comm and support from VA Technology has set me up for a successful future in engineering,” commented Joel Gidda.

Paul Copestake, Engineering Instructor at In-Comm Training, commented on Joel’s progress, “Joel is hard working and self-motivated, taking a real interest in the work he does. The quality of his work is strong and continues to improve. He communicates well with everyone in the group and asks thoughtful, relevant questions. Joel has expressed a desire to further his knowledge by progressing to HNC in the future. He is a model learner and a joy to teach, and I believe he is capable of becoming very good in his line of work.”  With more than forty years of expertise and significant investment in its technical academies, In‑Comm Training continues to deliver the best access to engineering apprenticeships and vocational learning.