Apprenticeships are now recognised as one of the most valuable routes into skilled employment, yet apprentices are still treated differently to university graduates when it comes to recognition.

While degree students are honoured with graduation ceremonies — gowns, certificates, and the celebration they deserve — apprentices, who work hard to balance full-time employment with study, often finish their programme with little or no formal recognition. This leaves many feeling undervalued compared to their university peers, despite apprenticeships being equally rigorous and highly valued by employers.

We call on the Department for Education, the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education (IfATE), and training providers to establish a National Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony, with the full formality of gowns, stage walks, and certificates, so that apprentices can celebrate their achievement on equal footing with graduates.

This is not just about fairness. It’s about:

Raising the status of apprenticeships in society

Inspiring future apprentices to take this respected route

Acknowledging the real skills and contributions apprentices bring to industries and the economy

Apprentices deserve the same recognition and pride that graduates receive. Let’s create a culture where every pathway — whether university or apprenticeship — is celebrated equally.