Welcome to the April EMAAN Newsletter – Edition Two

Welcome back to our EMAAN newsletter.

Following the launch of our refreshed format, this second edition continues to keep you, our Ambassadors, connected to everything happening across the East Midlands and beyond. From regional highlights to national moments, this is your space to stay informed, inspired, and involved.

As the network continues to grow, so does the impact you are making. This edition celebrates that momentum, shares new opportunities to get involved, and keeps you close to the activity shaping apprenticeships across our region.

Thank you for everything you are doing to champion apprenticeships and support others to succeed.

What you Missed - EMAAN In-Person Conference - Nottingham

We recently came together in Nottingham for our EMAAN in-person conference, kindly hosted by Specsavers. It was a brilliant opportunity to bring both employer and apprentice ambassadors into the same space, strengthening connections, sharing ideas, and building real momentum for the year ahead.

The day was packed with insight and inspiration. We heard from the Association of Apprentices, who shared key findings from the Big Apprenticeship Survey, giving us a powerful view of the apprentice voice at a national level. Amazing Apprenticeships also joined us to showcase the exciting projects and opportunities coming up, with plenty of ways for ambassadors to get involved.

We also had an important update from the central team, setting out priorities, targets and ambitions for the year ahead, alongside a fantastic session from Specsavers, who gave real insight into what makes them an award-winning employer and how they embed apprenticeships into their success.

One of the standout moments of the day was our ambassador panel, where both employer and apprentice ambassadors shared their experiences and spoke honestly about the value and impact of ambassador activity. This was followed by a series of interactive workshops, where ambassadors worked together to shape the future of the network, including how funding should be used and what activities they would like to see more or less of moving forward.

It was an energising and collaborative day that truly reflected the strength of the EMAAN community and the shared commitment to making a difference across the region.

Inspired by what you’ve read? There are plenty of ways to play your part this year.

From school visits and events to supporting employers and mentoring new talent, your contribution matters. Take a look at the opportunities in this newsletter and sign up for the activities that suit you. Let’s keep the momentum going together.

Looking Ahead to Another Year of Impact

As we move into the next phase of our journey, we are building on an incredibly strong foundation and setting our sights on an even greater year ahead.

Our focus for the coming year is clear. We will continue to grow our reach, deepen our impact, and ensure apprenticeships are visible, accessible and understood across the East Midlands.

Together, we will be:

• Visiting more schools and colleges across the region, ensuring young people are inspired and informed about apprenticeship pathways

• Taking part in a wide range of outreach activities and events, bringing real experiences and voices into classrooms and communities

• Engaging with SMEs to mentor and support them in taking on apprentices, helping more employers feel confident in investing in skills

• Supporting individuals who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), helping them take those first important steps into their careers

There are already a number of exciting opportunities to get involved, which you can explore later in this newsletter.

This year is about building momentum and making our impact even more visible. Every conversation, every visit and every connection will continue to shape futures and strengthen our region.

Thank you for being part of this journey and for everything you will go on to achieve.

Do You Know Someone Who Would Make a Great EMAAN Ambassador?

We are always looking to grow the EMAAN network with passionate individuals who want to make a difference.

Do you know someone who would benefit from joining as an Employer Ambassador or an Apprentice Ambassador?

Being part of EMAAN offers the opportunity to:

• Build confidence and develop leadership skills

• Represent their organisation or apprenticeship journey

• Connect with a supportive network of employers and apprentices

• Take part in events, school visits, and regional activity

• Help shape the future of apprenticeships across the East Midlands

• Raise both personal and organisational profile

Whether they are an apprentice looking to share their story, or an employer keen to support and develop talent, there is a place for them in the network.

If someone comes to mind, why not encourage them to take that next step?

Let’s continue to grow a strong, connected and impactful ambassador community together.

Click here to visit the website and complete the sign up form 

National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2026 – Now Open

Applications are now open for the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2026, and it is one of the most exciting opportunities of the year to celebrate the very best in apprenticeships and skills.

These awards shine a spotlight on the individuals, employers and providers who are making a real difference. They are a chance to recognise hard work, share powerful stories, and showcase the impact apprenticeships have across industries and communities.

Here in the East Midlands, we are incredibly proud to have a number of national award winners within our ambassador community. Their success is a testament to the strength, passion and expertise that exists across our region.

This year, we would love to see even more of you putting yourselves forward, particularly within the SME, Level 2, and Diversity and Inclusion categories. These are areas where we know there is outstanding work happening, and they deserve to be recognised on a national stage.

Entering the awards is not just about winning. It is a valuable opportunity to reflect on your journey, articulate your impact, and raise your profile as an individual or organisation.

We also recognise that putting together an application can feel like a big step. If there is enough interest, we would be very happy to run a dedicated support session to help guide you through the process and share tips on how to create a strong submission.

The closing date is the 22/05/2026

If you are considering entering, or would like to find out more, you can explore the categories and apply here:

https://apprenticeshipandskillsawards.co.uk/

Let’s make this the year the East Midlands shines even brighter.

Be Featured on the EMAAN Website

We are excited to continue building out our EMAAN website and would love to showcase more of you, our incredible ambassadors.This is your opportunity to share your story, highlight your impact, and raise your profile across the network and beyond.

We are inviting both Apprentice Ambassadors and Employer Ambassadors to be featured.

What we are looking for

If you are an Apprentice Ambassador, please share:

• A short bio about who you are

• The apprenticeship you are currently completing

• The types of ambassador activities you have been involved in

• Why being an ambassador is important to you

If you are an Employer Ambassador, please share:

• A short overview of your organisation

• What you do as a business

• The types of apprenticeships you offer

• Why being an ambassador matters to you and your organisation

What to include with your submission

• A headshot

• A company logo

Being featured is a great way to:

• Raise your personal or organisational profile

• Celebrate your involvement in EMAAN

• Inspire others to get involved in apprenticeships

If you would like to be included, please send your details and images to the team via the button below.

We cannot wait to share your stories.

Click here to submit information for the website 

Upcoming Opportunities to Get Involved

As we step into a new ambassador year, we have a wide range of school and college events coming up across the region.

These opportunities are a fantastic way to represent EMAAN, inspire the next generation, and support employers and educators in understanding apprenticeships.

If you would like to volunteer your time and get involved, please get in touch with the EMAAN team.

April 2026

15 April – Nottingham College, Industry Advisory Board (High Pavement Campus)20 April – Nottingham HOPE Academy, Careers Talks22 April – East Leake Academy, Careers Fair27 April – Wrenn School (Wellingborough), STEM Apprenticeship Panel28 April – Rushcliffe Spencer Academy, Careers Fair

28 April – Landau Forte School, Mock Interviews

May 2026

22 May (10:00 – 14:00) – Nottingham College, Meet the Employer Careers Fair

June 2026

16 June – The Becket School, Year 10 Mock Interviews17 June – Tibshelf Community School, Personal Development Day18 June – High Pavement Sixth Form, Careers Day23 June – Bilborough College, Futures Week

25 June – The Pingle Academy, Year 10 World of Work (WOW) Day

29 June – The Becket School, Year 12 Careers Carousel

July 2026

3 July – The Minster School, Year 12 Progression Day

7 July – Carlton le Willows Academy, Careers Fair

10 July – Hope Valley College, Careers Fair (13:30 – 15:30)

13 July – South Nottinghamshire Academy, Year 10 Careers Day

13 July – Outwood Academy Newbold, Mock Interviews

17 July – The Minster School, Year 10 Progression Day

21 July – Multiple Events:

• Nottingham Emmanuel School – Mock Interviews

• Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School – Careers Day

• Derby Cathedral School – Whole School Careers Day

• Nottingham Academy – Mock Interview Day

Flexible Opportunities

David Nieper Academy – Apprenticeship-focused assemblies (various dates, post-Easter to May half term)

Get Involved

Whether you can support a single event or multiple activities, your contribution makes a real difference.

To volunteer for any of the above opportunities, please contact the EMAAN team.

Let’s continue to inspire, support and create opportunities together.

Email us here to sign to one of the outreach event 

A Final Word

Before we close, we just want to take a moment to say thank you.

You are an incredible community. The energy, commitment and passion you bring to EMAAN does not go unnoticed, and it is what makes this network so special. Thank you for continuing to stay engaged, show up, and make a difference across the region.

We would also love to hear more from you.

If you have any stories, milestones or events you would like us to feature, please do share them with us. From graduations and completions to new apprenticeship starts, promotions, events or standout ambassador activity, we want to celebrate it all.

Let’s continue to shine a light on the amazing work happening across our network.