Celebrating NAW

The Best Connection Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week 2025 

National Apprenticeship Week at The Best Connection was a fantastic celebration of the impact apprenticeships have on individual careers, our business and the wider industry. Throughout the week, we shared inspiring success stories, expert insights, and behind-the-scenes content to showcase the value of apprenticeships. We also reiterated the vital role apprentices play in bringing fresh perspectives, motivation, and specialised skills to our teams every day. 

Shining a Spotlight on Apprenticeship Success 

We celebrated the journeys of our apprentices who have recently completed their qualifications, sharing their experiences and career growth. Through exclusive ‘Day in the Life’ videos, employees got a behind-the-scenes look at the daily experiences of apprentices like Megan Spray in Norwich and Roy Ruci in Oxford, as well as insights from Training & Apprenticeship Consultant, Emily Parkes. These stories highlighted the skills, confidence, and real-world knowledge apprentices gain throughout their journey, but also offered a unique peek into the flip side of a trainer’s role. 

To further showcase the impact of apprenticeships, we shared inspiring quotes and testimonials from both apprentices and managers. Their reflections highlighted the challenges, achievements, and immense value apprenticeships bring – not just to individuals, but to the wider business. Hearing first-hand from apprentices about their growth and from managers about the benefits of developing our employees added a truly impactful element to the week’s celebrations. 

Beyond our internal celebrations, we also shared stories with our community on our Careers pages (link) to highlight the importance of apprenticeships and showcase the success stories of our employees. This included a special guest blog from 2024 Director’s Apprentice of the Year, Tara Trninic from our Truro branch. Tara shared insights into her journey with The Best Connection so far, what she learned during her apprenticeship, and how the experience has shaped her career today. (Click here to take a look!) 

Celebrating Our Apprentices and Mentors 

To conclude the week, we proudly celebrated our Director’s Apprentice of the Year and Apprentice Champion of the Year awards. These prestigious accolades were awarded to individuals who have shown outstanding dedication, commitment, and impact during their apprenticeship journey, as well as championing for apprentices and apprenticeships across the business. Nominees were put forward by their colleagues and carefully selected by our Directors, making this recognition even more special.  

Huge congratulations to: 

Greg Collins, Recruitment Consultant at our Oldham branch – Winner of Director’s Apprentice of the Year 

Kelly Tatlow, Branch Manager at our Truro branch – Winner of Apprentice Champion of the Year 

Their achievements reflect the hard work and support that make our apprenticeship programme such a success. 

Director, Darren Ainge shared high praise for the two winners, stating: 

 “National Apprenticeship Week is a time for us to reflect on the incredible talent, growth and hard work we’ve seen across the business. Greg and Kelly, who have been recognised this year, have truly stood out for their exceptional contributions to his apprenticeship and her role as a manager supporting apprentices. It is a privilege to celebrate their achievements, and I personally look forward to witnessing their continued success.” 

Our Commitment 

While National Apprenticeship Week has come to an end, our commitment to supporting apprentices remains stronger than ever. Whether you’re considering an apprenticeship or mentoring the next generation of talent, The Best Connection continues to champion career development and professional growth for all. 

Want to learn more? Explore our Apprenticeships page or browse our Current Vacancies today!