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Get Ahead Week 2025: Transforming Apprenticeship Experiences Nationwide

26/09/2025

Get Ahead Week 2025: Transforming Apprenticeship Experiences Nationwide

Empowering Apprentices and Managers: A Comprehensive Week of  Professional Development

The Association of Apprentices (AoA) has revolutionised professional learning with our groundbreaking Get Ahead Week, addressing the critical challenges facing today’s apprentices and their line managers.

Key Challenges Addressed

Our impact research revealed three primary obstacles apprentices face:- Navigating off-the-job training effectively, developing robust workplace communication skills, and overcoming professional isolation.

Introducing Our Game-Changing Guides

Apprentice Get Ahead Guide 2025-26 (FREE)
Designed specifically for new apprentices, this comprehensive resource offers:
  • Practical first-day survival strategies
  • Insights from experienced apprentices
  • Skills development techniques
  • Comprehensive off-the-job training resources
Get Yours for Free
Line Managers’ Get Ahead Guide 2025-26 (£20 + VAT, FREE for Partners)
A specialised toolkit for managers to:
  • Support apprentice development
  • Implement effective management strategies
  • Address workplace challenges
  • Enhance apprentice integration
Get Yours Here

Week-Long Event Highlights (Webinars available to watch online)

16th September: Line Manager Webinar
Expert-led session providing strategies for supporting and developing apprentices.

All Week –  Comprehensive Guides Launch
Release of both the apprentice and line manager guides.

23rd September: Interactive Skills Workshop
Innovative “Personal User Guide” session bridging apprentice-manager communication.

24th September: Freshers Networking Event
New apprentices connected with AoA Council members and experienced peers.

26th September: “Fuel Your Ambition” Masterclass
Developing a success mindset for emerging professionals.

Introducing the Career Ready Programme
A cornerstone of our support, this programme is available to every UK apprentice, designed to develop work-ready behaviours from day one.

Why This Matters
In an evolving professional landscape, the Association of Apprentices is committed to:
– Providing practical, actionable resources
– Creating supportive professional networks
– Empowering the next generation of workplace talent

Ready to Transform the Apprenticeship Journey?
– Apprentices: Download your FREE Get Ahead Guide
– Line Managers: Invest in your team’s success with our comprehensive guide 

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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.