We’re halfway through National Apprenticeship Week and with this year’s theme, Skills for Life, it feels like the perfect moment to pause and reflect on the energy, ambition and talent our apprentices bring to our businesses across Actemium UK, Omexom UK & Ireland and Axians UK.

For me, apprenticeships have always been about much more than learning a trade. They are about building confidence, discovering potential and developing skills that last a lifetime. At VINCI Energies, our apprenticeship programmes are one of the most powerful ways we shape the future of our industry – not just by filling roles, but by creating careers.

From day one, our apprentices are part of real projects, real teams and real outcomes. They’re trusted to contribute, encouraged to ask questions and supported to learn through experience. That combination of structured learning, mentoring and hands-on delivery builds more than technical capability – it builds resilience, ownership and belief in what’s possible.

What I find particularly inspiring is the fresh perspective apprentices bring. They challenge how things have “always been done”, ask smarter questions and often spot opportunities others might miss. Whether they’re improving how work is planned and delivered on site, finding safer and more efficient ways to carry out installations, or contributing to the transition to modern, low‑carbon infrastructure, their curiosity and creativity play a genuine role in driving innovation across our brands.

And the impact is not short-term. Many of our former apprentices have gone on to build long-term careers with Actemium, Omexom and Axians – progressing into specialist and leadership roles and becoming role models for the next generation. That continuity of talent is invaluable. It strengthens our culture, deepens our expertise and reinforces our commitment to growing our own people.

Alongside the apprenticeship journey itself, our programmes such as our Talent, Accelerator, Elevate and Leadership extend that development further, helping our people to broaden their skills, prepare for future leadership roles and continue evolving as our industry changes.

This National Apprenticeship Week, we celebrate our apprentices past and present – not just for what they do today, but for the future they are helping us build. They are developing skills for life, shaping the future of our sector and bringing our values to life contributing to sustainable solutions and helping our businesses lead with innovation, purpose and ambition.

I’m incredibly proud of our apprentices across Actemium, Omexom and Axians and grateful for the energy, ideas and commitment they bring to their teams every day. Their success is our success and together, we’re building a stronger, more innovative and more sustainable future.

Click here to view learn more about our Apprenticeship and Graduate schemes.