National Apprenticeship Week 2026: why we’re proud to build the next generation of engineers

This National Apprenticeship Week, we are celebrating the incredible contribution apprentices make to our team and the wider engineering industry. While the conversation around skills often focuses on the ‘gap’, at Perega, we prefer to focus on the solution.

The modern engineering landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift, yet outdated myths about technical education persist. To mark NAW 2026, we asked our very own expert apprentices and apprenticeship manager to help us set the record straight and debunk the misconceptions still surrounding this high-level career path.

Myth 1: Apprenticeships are only for school leavers

There is a common misconception that apprenticeships are strictly for those finishing their GCSEs. In reality, they are a powerful tool for career changers and existing employees looking to skill up in an evolving technical landscape. Tomas Lloyd, an apprentice based in our Leeds office, points out that these routes are available for any career stage. He explains, “Many apprentices are over 25, showing their value for mid-career upskilling and leadership development.”

Myth 2: It’s a “lower-tier” or low-paid career route

Julie Parsell, Perega’s Office & Apprenticeship Manager, confirms that apprentices are employees from day one, entitled to a salary, paid leave, and other expenses. While there is a minimum apprentice wage, many employers pay more than this, with those aged 19 and over entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age after the first year. Crucially, all training is fully funded by the employer and/or the government. This allows apprentices to gain qualifications, including degrees, without incurring student debt or paying for their own training.

Myth 3: The academic rigour doesn’t match a traditional degree

Perhaps the most damaging myth is that apprenticeships are for ‘low-skilled’ roles. Today, the academic depth of the pathway is undeniable, with modern frameworks reaching Level 6, the equivalent of a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours. Reece Johnson, one of our Southend-based apprentices, notes that these pathways are now a high-quality route for training across elite professional sectors. Thomas Stanford, based in our Leytonstone office, adds that degree apprenticeships allow students to earn a full Bachelor’s degree from a university while working. He notes, “These are legally equivalent to standard university degrees but come without the burden of tuition debt.”

Myth 4: Apprenticeships don’t lead to “real” long-term careers

The final test of any educational route is its longevity. Far from being ‘temporary’ placements, our apprentices are integrated employees with real responsibilities on critical, multi-million-pound projects. Leytonstone office apprentice Riley Norman emphasises that these routes provide a clear, structured progression into senior leadership roles.

This is supported by Jake Lye, a Graduate Structural Engineer at Perega, who began his own journey as an apprentice. His progression to IEng proves this path is a robust, long-term alternative to full-time university.

As we celebrate NAW 2026, our message is clear: if we want a technically capable and diverse engineering workforce, we must stop viewing technical education as a “plan B”. For us, it is the blueprint for our success. We are incredibly proud of our apprentices and the fresh perspectives they bring to our drawing boards every day.

Interested in an apprenticeship with Perega? Please contact apprentice@perega.co.uk for more information.