In honour of National Apprenticeship Week 2026, our Managing Director, James Drake, wanted to share his experience with apprenticeships and the value thye bring to organisations.
I wanted to share a little something to show my support for National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2026.
In 1991 I was about to start the 2nd year of my A-Levels, I didn't really have any thoughts on employment or a career as such, so when my parents applied a 3-year Technical Apprenticeship with KCOM without my knowledge, I was pleasantly surprised when I was granted an interview, passed the selection process and found myself one of four new apprentices within one of Hull's largest employers.
The apprenticeship had been designed to provide me with a fixed amount of time in a variety of different roles and departments, giving me an insight not only into what these positions would offer me in the future, but also how the different parts of the organisations joined together. I didn't realise at the time, but this foundation of knowledge would serve me well in the future of running my own telecommunications company.
The first year of the apprenticeship was tough, moving between roles kept me on my toes but also prevented me from developing in any one position, I had some good, but also some underwhelming senior managers and I was also enrolled on a complementary academic course at Hull College. I maybe didn't take the course and the time required to succeed seriously enough, I found myself struggling with coursework and coasting through work, the allure of my new work friends and their hectic social calendar was too addictive for a young man. I failed the first year and for a minute I thought I had blown it all. Thankfully, life, especially at that age is still very forgiving, I was put back on the right path by a few people who cared enough to spot the signs of failure masquerading as success.
This picture sums up this time for me, here I am with my late father (Greg) at the start of my apprenticeship journey, I reflect on the joy of how proud my parents were to see me in my new workplace and in my KCOM workwear (including clip on tie lol).
The number of young people starting apprenticeships has reduced by almost 40% in the last decade, which is unfortunate, however a major overhaul is underway, with some significant changes in time required to complete an apprenticeship and removing the need for SME co-investment for under-25's.
Eclipse Wholesale has benefited greatly from apprentices over the past few years, it's allowed the company to access a more youthful employment market, bringing a fresh approach to our team. The apprenticeship scheme has allowed those apprentices to enter the workplace with slightly less pressure and gain access to both practical experience while following a structured training programme.
Thank you to the following partners who have supported Eclipse Wholesale and our apprentices over the past few years.
Related Stories:
Channel Corner with James Drake: What are your predictions for the industry in 2026?
The Value of Apprenticeships at Eclipse Wholesale
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