National Apprenticeship Week 2026: Our biggest event yet video transcript

Opening scene

Visual description: Drone footage shows the University of Derby, Kedleston Road campus. The University of Derby three hills logo appears over the video.

Visual description: A diverse crowd of visitors moves through the Atrium, speaking to exhibitors at apprenticeship stalls. Gavin stands in the Atrium near apprenticeship stands. The video cuts between Gavin speaking and clips of him presenting to a room of young people as he speaks.

Gavin, Weapon Engineer Officer

I was initially a bit unsure about going straight to university. So I looked at sort of the degree apprenticeship options. Rolls-Royce is obviously a fantastic company in the local area. You know the reputation it's got, that is what mostly attracted me.

My idea was to join the Navy and leave after sort of 3 years after getting that apprenticeship. However, it's carried me on. So, it's allowed me to do my degree through the Navy - so, that's all been paid for in electronic engineering - as well as see the world, whilst gaining them qualifications.

Visual description: A full lecture theatre is shown. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Keith McLay and entrepreneur Theo Paphitis appear in close-up. Attendees listen to a talk.

Amy, Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship

What inspired me to join the apprenticeship programme is that I wasn't sure whether university was the right route for me. I knew I wanted to do something with practical experience as well as a paid education and I thought that E.ON would be the best place for that. I feel like I've got a mentor, I've got the early careers team supporting me. I've got my manager supporting me. And I just feel like, really prepared for the future.

Visual description: Working professionals speak with young people at event stands before switching to Ben and Harry standing in front of a stand in the Atrium.

Ben, Engineering Degree Apprentice

I used to be quite introverted myself and doing a degree apprenticeship kind of forces you to put yourself out there. You've got to put your point across when you're doing projects. So, come right out my shell, that's that's the main thing.

Harry, Engineering Degree Apprentice

I've had a really good time on my apprenticeship so far. So, I'm in my last year, my fourth year, and I've spent time in five different areas of Rolls-Royce. Ready for me to move into a full-time role later this year hopefully.

Visual description: Visitors move between stands during a National Apprenticeship Week event.

My advice is just know what you want. Know what subject you want to do. So you need to actually look at what you want out of life; where you want to go and what interests you really, as most and go for that.

Visual description: A speaker delivers a presentation to a room of young people.

Do what you love to do rather than choose a job and try and make it work.

Amy, Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship

I would say just go for it. Be confident. Do your research on the company. Research the role that you'd like to do and just be yourself.

Gavin, Weapon Engineer Officer

If there's a degree associated with it as well, just think, if you can earn whilst you learn at the same time - yeah, why not do it?

Closing scene

Visual description: The footage fades to black. The University of Derby three hills logo appears on screen with the website URL underneath.

National Apprenticeship Week 2026: Our biggest event yet video

Back to Apprenticeships