Festival of Apprenticeships
Festival of Apprenticeships
Festival of Apprenticeships: A Movement for Careers with Purpose
Powered by Pathway Group | Founded by Safaraz Ali
An Idea Born from Frustration and Vision
Apprenticeships have long been overlooked in the national conversation around careers. For decades, the narrative has been dominated by university routes, often at the expense of practical, inclusive, hands-on alternatives that genuinely transform lives.
That’s why in 2021, Safaraz Ali, initiated what would become a national movement: the Festival of Apprenticeships.
“We needed something bold, energetic and unapologetically pro-apprenticeship—something that would put apprenticeships on a platform they truly deserve.” — Safaraz Ali
The Festival officially launched in 2022 as a series of dynamic, city-based roadshows during National Apprenticeship Week, designed to connect young people, parents, educators, and employers in a shared mission: to reimagine career possibilities and champion apprenticeships as first-choice pathways.
What Is the Festival of Apprenticeships?
It’s not a typical careers fair to start with. The Festival of Apprenticeships is a national, immersive exhibition series that brings the apprenticeship landscape to life—with energy, scale, and purpose. It’s designed to meet people where they are—in cities, in schools, and increasingly, online.
Delivered across three key cities including Birmingham, London, and Manchester, the Festival features:
• Live employer showcases
• Hands-on demonstrations
• Apprentice panel sessions
• Teacher and careers leader workshops
• Application and CV clinics
• Onsite and virtual engagement
The event year on year attracts thousands of attendees, with coaches arriving from schools and colleges, showcasing its growing impact on career conversations across the UK.
Q&A with Safaraz Ali by Chris Walker, MD of Expressive Design
Chris W: Why did you launch the Festival?
Safaraz Ali:
To break down barriers. Apprenticeships still suffer from image problems—seen as second-best, misunderstood, or simply invisible. We created a platform to change the story, raise aspirations, and show that apprenticeships are about careers, not courses.
Chris W: What makes the Festival different?
Safaraz Ali: It’s immersive, interactive, and inspiring. You can talk to employers, meet apprentices, get live career advice, and access real opportunities—all in one place. We don’t just inform—we engage.
Chris W: How do you work with schools and careers leaders?
Safaraz Ali: We have deep partnerships with schools, colleges, and early careers professionals. Many bring coachloads of students. We also run CPD workshops for teachers and career leads, giving them fresh tools to deliver better guidance in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks.
Chris W: What’s the biggest gap in the careers system?
Safaraz Ali: Practical, lived experience. Many students don’t get meaningful exposure to the workplace or career options outside university. Careers advice often lacks time, resources and up-to-date insight. The Festival bridges that gap—with energy and real-world value.
Chris W: What’s the vision going forward?
Safaraz Ali: More online content. More partnerships. We already run online events during National Apprenticeship Week and plan to scale that with webinars, digital showcases, and on-demand content all year round. The goal is to be always on, always accessible.
Chris W: Any other final message to our audience?
Safaraz Ali: Join the Movement
The Festival of Apprenticeships is not a one-off. It’s a growing movement for equity, aspiration, and access.
In a world where choices are often limited by background, postcode, or misunderstanding, we aim to be the bridge—to connect talent to opportunity, and people to purpose