Skills for Life in action: Kate Folan’s Path2Apprenticeship success with Chamber Training #NAW2026

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Skills for Life in action: Kate Folan’s Path2Apprenticeship success with Chamber Training #NAW2026

A local apprenticeship programme has empowered a Coventry resident to build “Skills for Life” while contributing to the community.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training is celebrating the success of Kate Folan, a Path2Apprenticeship participant who has recently joined Voluntary Action Coventry (VAC) as a Level 3 Business Administration apprentice.

By the end of December, Kate’s first month, she had already showcased the impact of the programme in preparing local residents for careers and community engagement.

Kate is currently supporting VAC’s “Get Involved Coventry” initiative and their room hire service, bringing enthusiasm, fresh ideas, and a willingness to take on new challenges.

Before Christmas, she shared her first-hand experience of accompanying the Improving Lives team to a group volunteering session at Samaritan’s Purse, commenting Kate said: "I was pleased to discover how many people were in good spirits and helping while singing along to Christmas songs playing from the speakers.

"Our participants thoroughly enjoyed our group volunteering trip to Samaritan’s Purse, with all our Improving Lives participants keen to join us again to help more children get a Christmas shoebox.”

The Path2Apprenticeship programme, delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training, offers local residents aged 19 to 29 the skills, guidance, and experience to pursue careers in sectors including health, social care, and business administration.

Participants benefit from:

  • A structured programme of workshops and training, delivered at no cost to them, over four to six weeks
  • Mentoring and coaching support
  • Real-world work experience placements, such as Kate’s role at VAC

Nicky Cheshire, Business Development Manager at Chamber Training, said: "Path2 Apprenticeships provides individuals with the confidence, skills, and practical experience needed to start a meaningful career.

“Kate’s journey is a perfect example of how apprenticeships develop essential skills, open doors to new opportunities, and contribute to the wider community which is the very essence of the 'Skills for Life' theme of National Apprenticeship Week 2026."

Sue Ogle, CEO for Voluntary Action Coventry said: "We're delighted to support Kate in these first steps of her career by offering her employment within our charity.

"Her paid placement has got off to a great start - she is getting real and valuable hands-on experience through her role plus she is also gaining a sense of achievement and value, contributing to a mission which supports the people of Coventry to get involved with community action."

Kate’s experience exemplifies this year’s National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) theme, “Skills for Life,” taking place from February 9 to February 15, 2026. NAW 2026 celebrates how apprenticeships equip people with the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to succeed; breaking down barriers to employment, helping businesses build future-ready workforces, and driving local and national economic growth.

Chamber Training encourages all local employers, apprentices, and students to join the national celebration and showcase how apprenticeships are making a difference in Coventry and beyond. To find out more about Chamber Training visit https://www.cw-chambertraining.co.uk/ or for further information of National Apprenticeship Week visit https://naw.appawards.co.uk/ 

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