Apprentices wanting to take part in an annual celebration of their achievements can register now after a new-look website dedicated to the event launched this week.

The Kent & Medway Apprentice Graduation Ceremony returns on Friday, October 8, with a special virtual event.

Prior to the pandemic, it was staged at Rochester Cathedral.

Designed to celebrate apprentices completing their courses in a similar way to graduation events for university students, the event has proved popular with more than 200 apprentices taking part.

The ceremony will have an increased interactive ‘live’ element this year, and is open to any Kent and Medway-based apprentice who completed and achieved their apprenticeship - at any level or discipline - between September 1, 2020 and August 31, 2021.

It includes those who had their end-point assessment and achievement delayed from 2019/20 due to the pandemic.

Apprentices can be registered by their employer, apprenticeship provider or can self-refer in exceptional cases.

Applications will be verified and places are available on a first come, first served basis. Registration closes at noon on September 1.

Paul Winter, chair of the Kent and Medway Skills Commission and member of the Kent and Medway Apprenticeship Graduation steering group, is a former higher apprentice. He explains: “I know how much I would have valued a formal graduation. An additional benefit of this year’s virtual event is that there is no limit on the number of family, friends and neighbours attending."

To nominate or register apprentices for the 2021 event, click here.

To view the new website and find out more, click here.

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