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AoA Publishes 2026 Impact Report, Highlighting a Year of Growth, Influence and Impact

15/07/2026

Cover of the Association of Apprentices 2026 Impact Report, highlighting support for over 65,000 apprentices since 2020 and featuring a panel discussion alongside founding partner logos.

The Association of Apprentices (AoA) is pleased to publish its 2026 Impact Report, covering the period 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2026. The report reflects a year of continued growth, innovation and influence as AoA strengthens its position as the professional home for apprentices across the UK.

During the reporting period, AoA’s community grew to more than 65,000 members, supported by a network of 100+ partner organisations. The growth reflects increasing demand for independent support, development opportunities, professional recognition and representation for apprentices at every stage of their journey.

The report highlights significant achievements across AoA’s four strategic themes of Reach, Relevance, Representation and Recognition. AoA members completed more than 680,000 learning activities during the reporting period, taking the all-time total to 1.5 million learning activities completed. The year also saw the continued growth of the Career Ready Programme, supporting apprentices to build confidence, resilience and career management skills.

A key focus throughout the year was ensuring apprentice voices were heard by those shaping the future of apprenticeships. Through the BIG Apprentice Survey 2025, 4,503 apprentices shared their experiences, creating one of the largest independent datasets of apprentice insight in the UK. AoA also facilitated focus groups, consultation responses and stakeholder engagement activities, while creating opportunities for apprentices to engage directly with policymakers and sector leaders, including during National Apprenticeship Week.

The report also celebrates the continued success of the Post-Apprenticeship Recognition Scheme (PARS), developed in partnership with the Chartered Institution for Further Education (CIFE). During the reporting period, 446 PARS awards were conferred, recognising apprentices for their achievements and commitment to professional development. The year culminated in a special House of Lords celebration, bringing together PARS award holders alongside employers, providers, policymakers and sector leaders.

The publication coincides with the launch of Together, We Grow, AoA’s Corporate Strategy 2026–2030, which sets out the organisation’s ambition to become the recognised professional home for every apprentice in the UK. The strategy focuses on expanding access to community, development, recognition and representation, ensuring every apprentice has the support they need to thrive.

Read the full report to discover how apprentices, employers, providers and partners are working together to build a stronger workforce and a more successful society.

Read the 2026 Impact Report → Click the image below

Cover of the Association of Apprentices 2026 Impact Report, highlighting support for over 65,000 apprentices since 2020 and featuring a panel discussion alongside founding partner logos.

Jan Richardson-Wilde

CEO, Occupational Awards Limited

Jan is the CEO of Occupational Awards Limited, a Director of the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink and an FE College Governor. She has over 35 years’ experience in the education sector in strategic and operational management of training programmes with colleges, private training providers, local authorities the voluntary sector and not for profit organisations. Jan has previously been a board member of the Learning and Skills Council, chair of the North Yorkshire Training Provider network and Vice-Chair of Yorkshire Coast College and a Governor of the Grimsby Institute for Further and Higher Education. She has extensive experience of education policy, apprenticeships, qualification, and curriculum development as well as business improvement.

Jan joined OAL in 2019, a leading non-profit industry-focused Awarding and End-Point Assessment Organisation, supporting a wide range of employers and of key stakeholders to succeed and surpass expectations. Jan is committed to continuous improvement and enthusiastic about improving the effectiveness, impact and quality of apprenticeships, education, and training in the UK and internationally. She has a wide range of experience of working in a collaborative context with employers and training providers to develop End Point Assessment, apprenticeships, and a wide range of vocational programmes.