National Apprenticeship Week 2026: The Skills You Can Develop From an Apprenticeship That Employers Will Love
Many people choose to do an apprenticeship because it gives them the opportunity learn the technical skills whilst on the job as well as gaining a qualification in their chosen field.
But apprenticeships don’t just lead to qualifications and industry specific skills, they also build soft skills that employers love to see.
What are soft skills?
Soft skills are skills that can be adapted to any role and are even transferrable to everyday life. Having a strong set of skills is helpful as it makes it easier for you to adapt to new situations and to build stronger relationships with others.
Although there is a lot of value in having strong technical skills or being academic, soft skills can be as equally powerful. Having soft skills does not just make you a more likeable person, but a more respected and professional person in the eyes of others.
So, what are these soft skills? Read on to find out more.
Communication skills
We use our communication skills almost every day but it’s important to refine our communication skills to adapt to the workplace. This does not mean we have to change who we are, just that we need to use our skills to communicate clearly with others.
How do apprentices develop this skill?
As a part of your role, you’ll almost certainly have to use your communication skills one way or another.
It might be common for your team to have team meetings. This is a great place to develop your ability to speak in front of others, whether you are contributing to a conversation or even presenting.
A key factor of learning is the ability to listen. This is also a great communication tool. Being present and participating in a lesson by listening will help your progression.
Being able to build a good rapport quickly with others is also helpful. As an apprentice you’ll have the opportunity to build relationships with people in different roles and from different backgrounds. Being able to effectively communicate with fellow team members, people from other departments or collaborating businesses, as well as clients or customers will not only create a more harmonious work life for you, but for others.
Why do employers love this skill?
Good communication builds trust. When apprentices learn to communicate professionally it can cement their reputation as an approachable and confident person within the workplace, but these skills will also benefit them if they choose to move on.
Teamwork
Working well within a team can be attributed to many things, but generally it means being dependable, respectful of others and eager to contribute.
How do apprentices develop this skill?
As an apprentice, you are going to be learning from industry professionals. This means you’ll be working within a team. It might be a small team, or there may be so many people that you lose count.
This means you’ll be working with people who are at different levels in their career or may work in a different job role to you completely. But what matters is that you work together effectively and can identify each other’s strengths and capabilities so you can achieve a shared goal.
Having the opportunity to experience the workplace will also allow you to learn workplace etiquette. This can be as important as participating in shared work projects.
Every workplace has different rules and expectations. When you have experience working in those environments as apprentices do, that can help you navigate new spaces a lot easier as you have a rough idea of what to expect.
Why do employers love this skill?
People who have done apprenticeships have learned that success at work is not always from individual effort. Effective teamwork has helped them achieve their goals.
Bering able to prove to a future employer that you can work in a team will help them visualise where you might be able to fit into their organisation.
Problem solving skills
A problem at work could be a range of different things. This might mean missing deadlines, extra work coming in last minute, or something being more difficult than it first looked. These things might not be your fault, but being able to make plans to solve these kinds of workplace problems is a great skill to develop.
How do apprentices develop this skill?
We’re all accustomed to having to deal with problems, but apprentices are in a privileged position as usually they’re learning from the best.
As an apprentice, there’s a high chance you might have lots of opportunities to shadow other employees. Being able to watch how they manage problems is a very insightful experience and will inform your ability to manage similar situations.
As most apprentices are entry level roles, you’ll be responsible for tasks that you have never done before. Although we try and avoid it, making mistakes is a part of working. But we learn from our mistakes, and it contributes to our ability to spot possible issues or not repeat errors we’ve made in the past. It can even help us learn how to handle a situation that hasn’t gone to plan.
Why do employers love this skill?
Apprentices have experienced things going wrong, whether that’s to do with their own work or by watching their team deal with an issue.
However, as a result they can identify issues and then plan to solve them. This skill can be a great help to an employer.
Organisation and time keeping
Being able to plan, manage your tasks and keep to deadlines is a useful way to work efficiently and keep your stress levels down.
How do apprenticeships develop this skill?
As an apprentice, whether your tasks are completed individually or within a group, you’ll have to work towards a deadline. Learning how to organise your schedule and work plan to meet deadlines is an important skill.
As part of an apprenticeship, you are also expected to work and to dedicate time to your studies. This experience teaches an apprentice how to balance their tasks. What needs to be practised and how much time they need so they can complete everything.
Lastly, whether you’re heading to work or attending college for your learning days, you need to manage your time keeping. It can be as simple as making sure you leave enough time to get to work on time in the morning. Apprentices quickly find out that they are the ones accountable for organising themselves.
Why do employers love this skill?
Employees who manage their time well and who are organised are seen as more reliable. Knowing that your employee will meet the deadlines that you set, or turn up to meetings on time, is reassuring to an employer.
Strong soft skills + technical skills = the perfect candidate
Apprenticeships create confident, skilled, and adaptable employees.
Being able to communicate well can land you the job when you go for an interview, showing that you’re a problem solver could prove you’re responsible and lead to a promotion, being a good team player in your old job has convinced someone to start that business with you. The list is endless.
The combination of soft skills and technical experience makes apprentices highly attractive to employers, not just now, but throughout their careers.
Thinking about doing an apprenticeship? Check out the GMACS apprenticeship search to find out what’s out there.
