National Apprenticeship Week Launches with Lord Mayor Visit

Kicking off National Apprenticeship Week 2025, Lord Mayor Beverley Mullaney visited Bradford College on Monday.

Highlighting the College’s efforts to bridge skills gaps and drive regional economic growth, Councillor Mullaney was taken on a special tour of the newly-refurbished Higher-Education building – a key addition to Bradford College’s extensive STEM resources and top class training facilities for students. The site features a clinical suite, digital IT labs, ophthalmic dispensing suites, real-life consulting and testing booths, and much more.

During the visit, the Lord Mayor said: “This is a fantastic, truly modern environment for individuals to come and learn in. It’s a significant investment into the future of Bradford, which is set to benefit the City’s economy once apprentices are fully-trained and start working in the relevant sectors like ophthalmology and dental.”

National Apprenticeship Week is a special, nationwide initiative bringing together businesses and apprentices to celebrate the positive impact of apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are a key part of the mission to transform lives at Bradford College and provide practical career pathways. The College takes pride in offering hands-on training to prepares apprentices with the skills and knowledge needed for success in their chosen field.

Head of Apprenticeships & Business Development, Judith Jackson, said: “Our apprentices continue to excel in their workplaces and win awards in national competitions. This demonstrates the valuable impact of apprenticeships on individuals and businesses, dispelling myths often surrounding the pathway.”

“I’m a firm believer in apprenticeships”, Councillor Mullaney continued.

“Within the Council, we prioritise recruiting apprentices. This is highly beneficial as people are learning, working, and getting paid – it’s a win-win arrangement.”

Bradford College supports roughly 1000+ apprentices to start their career across various sectors each year, partnering with hundreds of employers in Bradford and the wider UK. These partnerships ensure that apprentices receive relevant, industry-specific training that meets the needs of local businesses. The success of these programmes is evident as apprentices at Bradford College, as mentioned by Judith Jackson, continue to excel in their workplaces and win national competitions.

Explore Apprenticeships at Bradford College or if you’re an employer looking to hire an apprentice or upskill your workforce, visit our dedicated Employers Page for more information.