Family Business United Launches Apprentice Employers Badge

Family Business United (FBU) has launched a new Family Business Apprentice Employers Badge, recognising and celebrating family businesses across the UK that are embracing apprenticeships and investing in the skills, talent and future of their businesses.

The new campaign is designed to shine a light on the important contribution family firms make to employment, skills development and the communities in which they operate, while giving family businesses a simple way to demonstrate their commitment to apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships can offer businesses a practical route to developing the skills they need, building a pipeline of future talent and bringing new ideas and perspectives into the workforce. Government guidance highlights benefits including developing business-specific skills, creating talent pipelines and supporting productivity and staff morale.

For family businesses, there can be an additional dimension. Apprenticeships provide an opportunity to pass knowledge and experience between generations, develop people who understand the culture and values of the business, and create long-term career opportunities within the firm.

Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of Family Business United, said: “Family firms have always had a strong connection with their people, their communities and the next generation. Apprenticeships are a great example of that commitment in action."

“An apprentice is not simply someone learning a job. They are someone who has the opportunity to develop, contribute and potentially build a long-term career with a family business. At the same time, the business benefits from developing skills that are relevant to its own needs and bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm into the organisation."

“We wanted to create something simple and visible that recognises those family firms that are making that investment. The Apprentice Employers Badge is our way of saying thank you and celebrating the role that family businesses play in developing the workforce of tomorrow.”

The launch comes at a time when apprenticeships and skills development remain an important part of the UK employment and skills landscape, with recent reforms introducing greater flexibility for employers and new foundation apprenticeship opportunities.

For family businesses, the value of apprenticeships can extend well beyond any financial support available. They can help firms develop home-grown talent, address skills gaps, strengthen employee engagement, create career pathways and support succession by ensuring that knowledge and expertise continue to be developed within the business.

They can also help family businesses demonstrate their commitment to their local communities by creating opportunities for people to enter the workplace, learn new skills and establish careers.

A Badge For Family Firms

As part of the new campaign, every family business that signs up to the Apprentice Employers campaign will receive a complimentary digital badge, which can be displayed on its website and other digital channels.

Participating businesses will also receive a complimentary news story that can be used to announce their involvement in the campaign and highlight their commitment to apprenticeships.

The initiative is open to family businesses that employ apprentices and want to publicly demonstrate their commitment to developing people and investing in the future.

Paul added: “We want to make this a campaign that family businesses can genuinely own. The badge is a small symbol, but behind it sits something much more important: a family business choosing to invest in people and in the future."

“We would love to see family firms across the UK proudly displaying the badge and sharing their apprenticeship stories. Every apprentice represents an opportunity to develop talent, transfer knowledge and build something for the future.”

Celebrating Investment In People

Family businesses are often deeply rooted in the communities in which they operate, with many developing long-term relationships with their employees and local communities over generations.

The Apprentice Employers Badge provides a way to recognise that contribution and encourage more conversations about the role apprenticeships can play within family firms.

Family Business United is inviting family businesses employing apprentices to sign up to the campaign, receive their complimentary badge and share their commitment to developing the next generation of talent.

You can find out more and register for the Apprentice Employers Badge here