Training provider Realise is marking National Apprenticeship Week by launching a campaign to deliver more than 200 new Level 2 apprentices in the sector.

National Apprenticeship Week takes place between 10 and 14 February.

Realise is urging nursery settings and the government to place a renewed focus on Level 2 apprentices. The number of Level 2 apprentices in early years has declined by 5% over the last three academic years, from 6,972 in 2021-22 to 6,457 in 2023-24. At the same time, 72% of settings reported a greater reliance on agency staff in 2024 than 2022 according to the Early Years Alliance.

Karen Derbyshire, operations director for early years at Realise, said: “Level 2 apprentices are the future of the industry – and potentially the nursery managers of the future – and that’s why we are so determined to deliver on our pledge of 200 new Level 2 apprentices.”

She added: “The recruitment crisis in early years poses some of the biggest headaches for nursery managers and we totally understand that opting for agency staff is a quick fix and sometimes necessary to keep the doors open. However, for the long-term good of the setting and business, investing in and nurturing a Level 2 apprentice brings numerous positives.”

“Not only does it cut the reliance on – and rising costs of – agencies but there is the opportunity to embed the culture and skillsets you are looking to develop in the nursery in your apprentice – and they can count in ratios once they are deemed competent.”

Derbyshire also highlighted the financial benefits to investing in apprenticeships “from paying no National Insurance contributions for an apprentice under 25 to receiving a £1,000 government grant for hiring an apprentice aged between 16 and 18.”

Although Level 2 apprenticeships have fallen by 5% over the last three years in early years, Realise’s intake at that level has increased by 67%, said Derbyshire. “Many of our managers and leaders in nurseries today would have started out as a Level 2 apprentice – and there are no reasons why we can’t be saying that about ‘the class of 2025’ in 10 to 15 years time.”