"You're hired!": How apprenticeships are helping mums build careers and balance family life

Many women struggle to get back to work after having a baby, but this National Apprenticeship Week 2026 we meet two young mums whose apprenticeships gave them confidence, career opportunities, and a way to earn, learn and still be there for their children.

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Published: February 12, 2026 at 1:07 PM

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Any woman who has had a baby and gone back to work, whatever her career or circumstances, will tell you it's tough. Everything changes when you have a baby and navigating your career after mat leave comes with all sorts of complications – financial (in the form of nursery fees and potential salary loss), emotional (having to leave your baby with someone else while you work) and practical (how to fit in both work and raising a child), to name but a few.

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The news headlines and research about women going back to work after baby are pretty sobering. Just last year data released by Matri Maternity Coaching revealed that more than a quarter (27%) of working mothers in the UK either don’t return to work after maternity leave, or leave within a year of coming back, with most blaming a lack of support or poor return-to-work policies.

mother on maternity leave worrying about money

Among the 15% who chose not to return at all, over half (53%) cited poor parental leave or reintegration support as the key reason. And for the 12% who returned only to quit within a year, a massive 83% say it was these very same issues that pushed them out.

However, it's not all bad news. There is a lifeline for mums who want to work after having a baby - the apprenticeship scheme, but many women don't know how to access it or considered how one could work for them.

This week (9-15 February) marks National Apprenticeship Week and two inspiring mums have spoken about how apprenticeships helped them to move forward in their lives and careers.

What is National Apprenticeship Week?

National Apprenticeship Week  celebrates the life-changing opportunities apprenticeships provide for people from all backgrounds – including parents looking to build careers while supporting their families. Find out more. 

How apprenticeships can help mothers get back to work

Female technician guiding a young female trainee on repairing an electronical device

For new or intending parents, apprenticeships offers the chance to earn while they learn – a paid job that includes training towards a recognised qualification, with clear routes to career progression.

Through the Growth and Skills Levy, the government is creating new pathways into skilled employment, and from August 2026, apprenticeship training will be fully funded for eligible 16 to 24-year-olds in small and medium-sized businesses.

The government also plans to pilot a university clearance-style system where 'near miss' applicants who don’t secure their top choice apprenticeship will be re-directed to similar opportunities in their area.

And to help make apprenticeships more accessible, all of the resources young people need – including data showing actual earnings – will be made available on one website.

For too many parents, especially mums, the path back into work can be daunting. Apprenticeships offer a real solution.

Minister for Employment, Dame Diana Johnson

The figures are encouraging: 94% of apprentices who complete their training go into work or further training, and median earnings rise 42% within five years of achievement.

"This National Apprenticeship Week, I want to encourage young women from across the country to consider how an apprenticeship could help you achieve your career and personal goals," says Minister for Employment, Dame Diana Johnson

"For too many parents, especially mums, the path back into work can be daunting. Apprenticeships offer a real solution – the chance to earn while you learn, develop valuable skills, and build a career that fits around family life.

"We’re delivering 50,000 more apprenticeships for young people across the country and making it easier than ever to start and complete an apprenticeship – relaxing the English and maths requirements, introducing shorter courses, and piloting a scheme in which young people who narrowly miss out on a place can be re-directed to other suitable apprenticeships.”

Meg Ginsburg's story:

At just 18, Meg faced challenges that would have derailed many people's ambitions. She first became a mother during lockdown, giving birth to her daughter Olive – then around the same time, she underwent multiple surgeries that left her a wheelchair user.

When the opportunity for an apprenticeship came up at South West Water in Project Management it gave Meg the support to build a career which was better suited to her circumstances.

“At the time I was struggling with my health,” she says. “It was such a positive sort of motivation for me to get out of bed, to meet new people, and to actually have something to talk about when you get home and be proud of. It definitely gave me a lot of structure.”

I don’t think with the cost of childcare, that I would have been able to do what I’ve done with a different job.

Previously Meg had been an ambulance dispatcher, but she struggled with the shift-work and has since found her apprenticeship to be a better balance of work and family.

“I don’t think with the cost of childcare, that I would have been able to do what I’ve done with a different job,” she explains. “When I was working shift work, I found it hard trying to juggle that around our life. I don’t think I’d have been able to sort that work-life balance and have the same opportunities if it wasn’t for an apprenticeship.”

Meg didn't just complete her apprenticeship – she excelled. She went on to launch "Construct Ability" – an initiative dedicated to helping disabled people enter and thrive in the construction and engineering sectors.

Her achievements have been recognised nationally. Meg won the National Apprenticeship Awards Special Recognition of the Year 2023 and the Association of Colleges Apprentice of the Year 2024, alongside multiple industry awards. She now holds voluntary positions including ICE South West Future Leader and South West Apprentice Ambassador Network County Lead.

Today, Meg works as an Assistant Project Manager at AtkinsRéalis within the Project Delivery Practice within the Growth Markets Division. She is currently completing a degree apprenticeship in Project Management at Exeter University, due to finish in 2027.

“I hope that some of my journey resonates with those who may also face similar barriers – especially for mums who want to upskill, change career or develop after having children,” she says, “Apprenticeships are a fantastic tool to develop academically with financial stability and construction can be a brilliant sector for all.”

Morgan O'Sullivan's story:

Morgan O'Sullivan made history in July 2025 when she became the only woman in England to complete her Level 2 Bricklaying apprenticeship with a full distinction. Inspired by her father, a carpenter and general builder, Morgan was drawn to bricklaying because she wanted to build something she could be proud of.

The guarantee of a job and financial stability – you need that to have a baby.

Now 19, Morgan's apprenticeship didn't just give her a career – it gave her the confidence to become a mum. When she discovered she was pregnant while still completing her training, the stability her apprenticeship provided made all the difference.

"When I first got pregnant, I was still on my apprenticeship, but the guarantee of a job and obviously financial stability – you need that to have a baby," Morgan explains. "With a construction qualification, you will never be out of a job. To know that your child has that constant stability, pretty much until they leave home, it's a really good feeling to know that you're able to do that for them."

After completing her apprenticeship with Lee Marley Group, Morgan took on a new role as a trainee tutor at the Lee Marley Academy in London. Following the birth of her daughter in December, she will return to her tutoring position in April, where she'll help inspire the next generation of apprentices.

What to do if you're considering an apprenticeship:

  1. Know that apprenticeships are for everyone – including you. There's no upper age limit for apprenticeships, and you don't need to have followed a traditional educational path. Whether you're 24 or 44, changing careers or starting fresh after time out for caring responsibilities, apprenticeships offer a genuine route into skilled employment. Over 70 industries offer apprenticeships, from healthcare and digital to finance and engineering.
  2. Use the support available to find the right opportunity. Search for apprenticeships through the government's official 'Find an apprenticeship' service at gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship. The National Careers Service also provides free, impartial advice to help you explore options that fit your circumstances. Don't be afraid to ask potential employers about flexible working arrangements.
  3. Understand the financial benefits. Apprentices earn a wage from day one – you're an employee, not a student. Many employers pay above the minimum wage, and you'll receive at least 20 days of paid holiday plus bank holidays. If you're with a small business and aged 16–24, from August 2026 your training costs will be fully funded, making it even easier for employers to take you on.
  4. Connect with others who've been in your shoes. Organisations like the Young Women's Trust offer support specifically for young women entering the workforce. Local apprentice ambassador networks can connect you with people who've navigated similar challenges. Hearing from others who've balanced parenthood with apprenticeships can give you practical insights and confidence.
  5. Remember that starting is the hardest part. The first step often feels the biggest. But with 86 percent of apprentices satisfied with their training and 88 percent reporting improved career prospects, the evidence shows that taking that leap pays off. Your experiences as a parent – juggling priorities, managing time, problem-solving under pressure – are skills employers value.

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