The Women in Apprenticeships Network (WIAN) will officially launch at the UVAC National Conference on Thursday 20 November 2025, marking a significant step forward in championing the visibility, progression, and leadership of women across the entire apprenticeships ecosystem.

WIAN brings together women who are undertaking apprenticeships and women who are designing, delivering, managing, and supporting them—including training providers, employers, mentors, assessors, quality leads, policymakers, researchers, and system leaders. All play a vital role in shaping the apprenticeship landscape, yet women still face barriers to entry, progression, representation, and influence.

WIAN exists to challenge those barriers, amplify women’s voices, and build a national community that empowers every woman involved in apprenticeships to lead with confidence and thrive.

What WIAN Offers

WIAN provides a national community built on support, learning, and opportunity. Through a growing range of initiatives, the network connects women across industries, regions, and career stages through:

• Professional Networking – creating spaces to build relationships, share experiences, and open new doors.
• Mentoring & Peer Buddying – tailored support to help women navigate workplace challenges and build confidence.
• Inspiring Speaker Events – showcasing women leaders who have forged their own paths through apprenticeships.
• Practical Webinars & Workshops – offering guidance on progression, leadership, wellbeing, and workplace success.
• A Dedicated LinkedIn Community – enabling ongoing connection, conversation, and collaboration.

Together, these activities form a national support system designed to elevate voices, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate women’s achievements.

The Mission

To connect, champion, and empower women in apprenticeships. WIAN opens doors to opportunity, break down barriers to progression, and support every woman to achieve her full potential.

The Vision

WIAN envision a world where every woman in an apprenticeships feels connected, valued, and empowered. Through a strong and supportive community, we break down barriers, share knowledge and experiences, and celebrate achievements together. By fostering opportunities to learn, grow, and lead, WIAN strives to create lasting change—ensuring women in apprenticeships are not only represented but championed, inspired, and equipped to thrive and uplift others.

Leadership

WIAN is proudly co-chaired by Professor Sarah Tudor and Jenny Ashworth, respected sector leaders committed to advancing equity, support, and leadership across apprenticeships.

Professor Sarah Tudor reflects on why external networks matter:

“Increasingly, we recognise that networking beyond the workplace offers something essential. For many women, particularly those in male-dominated environments—external networks can be a lifeline. They provide space for authenticity, encouragement, and solidarity. Here, we can come as we are, ambitious, thoughtful, resilient, without needing to prove our worth at every turn. These networks are not just about advancing professionally; they are about thriving.”

Join the Movement

WIAN is more than a network—it’s a national movement to inspire change, strengthen representation, and champion women at every stage of the apprenticeship journey.

The Women in Apprenticeships Network’s first national event, a Welcome Webinar, will take place on Tuesday 2 December 2025. Join them, connect with others, and help shape the future of women in apprenticeships.

Visit: www.womeninapprenticeshipsnetwork.org
Follow: Women in Apprenticeships Network on LinkedIn

Be part of the change. Be part of WIAN.