National Apprenticeship Week 2026

National Apprenticeship Week is all about celebrating apprentices across the country and raising awareness of the different routes into further education and building a career.

Apprentices are people aged 16 and over with the opportunity to learn and continue their education whilst they work and earn money.

Figures for the 2024/25 academic year show apprenticeship starts were up by 4.1% compared to the previous academic year.

David Evans, our head of talent acquisition here at Radis Community Care explains the importance of providing opportunities for young people to learn and earn whilst they work.

“Apprenticeships are a fantastic offering, and it is no surprise that we’re seeing more people embark upon this route to continue their education.

“At Radis Community Care, we’re keen to ensure we have a number of apprenticeships on offer within the social care sector, including in finance, business support and human resources.”

This National Apprenticeship Week, we spoke to Emma Van der Berg, Finance Apprentice, who shared her experience of joining Radis and developing her skills within our Finance Team:

Why did you choose an apprenticeship with Radis?

I chose an apprenticeship with Radis because I felt that their values and vision to support vulnerable people to live independently is wonderful. I have also always enjoyed numbers and thought this apprenticeship would give me a good starting point for a career in finance.

What did you do before starting your apprenticeship?

Before joining Radis, I worked in hospitality and was initially nervous about working in an office environment for the first time! Thanks to the support of my team and managers, this transition has been positive and has helped me build my confidence.

What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day involves posting cash to clients’ accounts and contacting individuals by phone or email regarding payments. I also have time allocated to work on my college work/course-work and have the opportunity to learn from the wider Finance Team.

What’s the most interesting part of your role?

The most interesting part of my role is seeing and understanding how different departments work together to complete processes.

What skills have you learned so far?

I have learned about the daily finance processes. For example, how data moves from online banking into our internal financial systems.

How have your confidence or skills changed since starting?

I am more confident when communicating with new people, especially on the phone. Daily guidance and support from my manager and the credit control team have helped me grow my confidence, knowledge and skills.

Reflecting on her journey so far, Emma said she would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone looking to learn new skills or begin their career, as it has given her clearer direction for her future.