Celebrate with us, 9-15 February 2026
9-15 February 2026 was National Apprenticeship Week in England and Wales and we celebrated this pathway into careers and the cultural sector.
Apprenticeships provide an excellent opportunity to develop within a role whilst being paid. They are a flexible and practical route to developing skills, knowledge and behaviours in a particular area of practice, bolstering your professional development in a way that works for you.
In England alone there are more than 700 apprenticeship standards, with 50 of those in creative and design fields, so there are numerous pathways to development – from business administration to cultural learning and participation officer, and data analyst to registrar.
The apprenticeship standards can be found through the new Skills England website, and these can provide inspiration for your exploration of a suitable apprenticeship. They can also offer an opportunity to reflect on your existing skills to inform a more self-directed development plan.
“The cultural sector has been a late adopter to apprenticeships, but with the continued focus on skills shortages and the evolution of existing apprenticeships and infrastructure to support them, now more than ever apprenticeships are opening doors for people to realise their potential.”
Tamsin Russell, Workforce Development Lead
If you are already employed within the sector, have a conversation with your line manager (or HR and training team if you have one), about your organisation’s approach to apprenticeships – they may have a strategy for apprenticeships or are looking to develop their commitment to them.
For more inspiration, read the case studies on this page to see what apprenticeships may mean for you and your future.
