Local students set to discover new opportunities during Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2026
Tuesday 20 January 2026
Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2026 (#NIAW2026) will kick off at the start of February, bringing an exciting programme of events designed to highlight the many benefits of choosing an apprenticeship pathway.
Throughout the week, Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership (MEA LMP) will work closely with schools, employers and key partners across the Borough to deliver a series of activities showcasing how apprenticeships support individuals, businesses, communities and the wider economy.
The overarching theme for this year’s campaign, which is led by the Department for the Economy, is ‘Invest in Talent – Your Future Business’.
Funded by the Department for Communities, Labour Market Partnerships develop targeted employment action plans for each council area, enabling local and regional collaboration to help people prepare for and access meaningful work.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, said: “Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is dedicated to supporting our local businesses, developing a strong pipeline of talent, and creating clear and accessible career pathways for young people across our Borough.
“By working in partnership with employers and schools, we aim to ensure businesses have the support they need to introduce new talent to their workforce, while enabling our young people to develop the skills and experience needed to build strong foundations for their future careers.
“By highlighting the wide range of opportunities available locally, we hope to inspire our young people and encourage them to see and realise their full potential.”
This year’s programme features:
- Interactive careers fairs across the Borough
- A Built Heritage and Construction event enabling students to explore a variety of construction related careers and gain insights from professionals involved in preserving Carrickfergus’s built heritage.
- Event coordinated by MEA LMP working in collaboration with colleagues in Carrickfergus Museum, Construction Industry Training Board NI and supported by Clanmill Housing.
- Behind‑the‑scenes employer visits for school groups, giving students firsthand insight into real workplace environments and career pathways
- A dedicated Higher Level Apprenticeships event at Northern Regional College
In addition, Caterpillar Larne will host an Apprenticeship Open Day on Friday 6 February, inviting school groups and parents to explore the company, meet the team, and learn more about apprenticeship roles now open for applications - including opportunities in Fabrication/Welding, Mechanical Fitting and Electrical disciplines.
For more information on the programme and the Labour Market Partnership, visit our Labour Market Partnership section.