Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2025

This week we are celebrating National Apprenticeship Week!

Apprenticeships are an increasingly popular option and are a great way to gain real-world experience and develop practical skills, while earning a salary. We spoke to members of the geographical community who have taken, or are currently taking, apprenticeships, to hear about their experiences and advice for others interested in this route.  

Kane Cunliffe is a Data Scientist at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), who completed a Level 6 Apprenticeship in Digital Technology Solutions (Data Analytics). Kane said: “A highlight of my apprenticeship was the opportunity to learn alongside a cohort of apprentices from diverse organisations and industries. This collaborative environment has been incredibly enriching. It's been challenging and rewarding to learn from my peers, share knowledge and perspectives, and gain insights into how data science and geospatial analysis is applied across different sectors.” 

Azhar Iqbal, a Junior Land Referencer who joined the consultancy firm WSP as a Land Referencing apprentice, commented: “I was particularly drawn to the mix of legal, geographical, and stakeholder engagement aspects of the apprenticeship and the role…the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals to develop my technical skills at such an early stage of my career is a highlight, and using those insights to assist on major projects has been satisfying.”

Alex Butler, an Environmental Sustainability Apprentice, had some advice for anyone considering an apprenticeship: “You benefit from every aspect; an apprenticeship offers you a combination of practical and academic experience which you don’t usually get from a traditional educational route”. James Young, a Junior Spatial Data Scientist, adds: “I would advise any prospective apprentice to research organisations, departments and roles that align with their interests - there are a breadth of opportunities across the private and public sectors to contribute to meaningful work while developing professionally and academically.” 

There are many different types of apprenticeships across the UK and across different sectors and career stages. While there are few with geography in the name, many focus on geographical issues and require the use of geographical skills. You can read more about geography-related apprenticeships here, and the Society's Professional and Policy Manager, Liz Fox-Tucker, will be sharing information on apprenticeships each day this week.

The National Apprenticeship Week website has lots of other advice and information for potential apprentices, parents, teachers and employers.