How Apprenticeships Transform Lives: A National Apprenticeship Week 2026: From care to career Success Story

It’s not every day a story comes along that really stops people in their tracks. But as National Apprenticeship Week kicks off, a young man from Hull is showing everyone what’s possible when determination meets opportunity. This week, which started on 9 February 2026, is all about celebrating apprenticeships and the huge difference they make. And there’s no better example than the journey of 20-year-old Tyreece Moss, whose story is a powerful reminder that the right support can help someone build a brilliant career, no matter the challenges they've faced. His path from being in care to securing full-time employment is a real testament to the power of a good apprenticeship scheme.

From facing challenges to finding a career

Life can throw some serious curveballs. For Tyreece, things got incredibly tough during his teenage years. After his grandad passed away when he was just 16, he found himself without a family anchor and ended up in the care system. By 17, he was living in supported accommodation, a situation that's difficult for anyone to navigate. But this is where his journey towards a new career began. With help from his carers to get his CV sorted, he went along to an open event held by Hull Training and Adult Education (HTAE).

It was there that a sign making tutor, Mike Gooch, described the course in a way that sparked something in Tyreece. He decided to give it a go, a choice that would change everything. Through HTAE, he landed an apprenticeship with Matt Vinyl Graphics, a local family business. There was a hurdle, though: he didn't have his maths and English qualifications. This is where the support system really kicked in. HTAE provided all the help he needed to get those qualifications, showing the kind of flexibility that makes a real difference. This support from the council’s care leavers team was crucial in helping him overcome these early challenges and begin his training.

Tyreece explained just how much this apprenticeship meant:

My grandad passed away when I was 16 and he was the only person I had, so I ended up in care. When I was 17, I was living in supported accommodation and my carers helped me to develop my CV and then I attended at HTAE open event. The signmaking tutor, Mike Gooch, made the course sound really interesting and I thought ‘let’s give it a go’.

Building skills, confidence, and a future

An apprenticeship is all about learning practical skills while on the job, and for Tyreece, it was a perfect fit. He started his Signage Technician Standard Level 3 apprenticeship, a hands-on role that involves creating and preparing vinyl graphics for signs. Think of the lettering on shop windows or the logos on vans – that’s the kind of work apprentices in this field learn to do. For three years, he dedicated himself to the training, learning the trade inside and out at Matt Vinyl Graphics.

The culmination of all this hard work was passing his End Point Assessment, or EPA. The EPA is basically the final exam for apprentices, a series of tests to prove they have all the skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed to do their job. Passing it is a huge deal, and for Tyreece, it marked the official success of his training. The result? He secured full-time employment as a vinyl preparator with the company that had supported him all along. His journey from care to career was complete. He’s done so well, in fact, that he’s now mentoring other apprentices, sharing his experience and helping them find their own success.

“HTAE supported me all the way with this to help me to earn those qualifications and having that understanding and flexibility from them made such a big difference,” Tyreece said. “It felt amazing to pass my EPA, it made those two years completely worth it and I couldn’t have done it without the support of the council’s care leavers team, HTAE and Matt Vinyl Graphics. For me, this has been the best career choice and pathway I could have chosen. The training has not only given me valuable skills, but also the confidence to grow and I feel like I’m building a strong future for myself while contributing to the success of the business.”

More than just an employer: a family business that stepped up

The story gets even more inspiring. Just as Tyreece turned 18, he had to leave his supported accommodation with only two weeks' notice. Finding a place to live at such short notice is a massive stress for anyone, let alone for care leavers who might not have a family to fall back on. This is where his employer, Matt Vinyl Graphics, showed they were more than just a workplace. They are a true family business, and they treated Tyreece like one of their own.

They stepped in and provided him with a permanent place to live, helping him get properly set up and back on his feet. This incredible act of kindness gave him the stability he needed to focus on his apprenticeship and build his future. It’s a powerful example of how businesses can make a profound impact on the lives of their apprentices. The support went far beyond just training and employment; it was about genuine care.

“I’m incredibly grateful that people believed in me,” he added. “My employers have not only supported me in my career, but also when I was struggling to find accommodation. They stepped in and helped me by providing a permanent place to call my own and getting me set up with everything I needed to get back on my feet personally.”

Lauren Nicholson, an accounts clerk at the firm, confirmed this sentiment: “We’re a family business and Ty is part of that family. He’s reliable, driven and always willing to learn. We’re incredibly proud of him and completing his Level 3 and winning those awards are testament to his hard work and professionalism. No matter the difficulties he was dealing with in his personal life, he was always at work, often earlier than required, demonstrating his commitment and enthusiasm from day one.”

Recognition, awards, and a bright future

Tyreece’s incredible determination and resilience haven't gone unnoticed. His hard work has been recognised with some significant awards, celebrating not just his professional achievements but his personal strength in overcoming so many obstacles. His achievements include:

• The Blue Diamond Award, a special award for care leavers who have shown outstanding achievement.

• The Overcoming Barriers Award at the HTAE Learners Awards 2024.

These awards highlight the immense success he has achieved. His former tutor, Mike Gooch, was emotional about Tyreece’s progress. “Ty was a teenage lad living on park benches. To see him pass his EPA is extraordinary. This is the most rewarding result I have had in 17 years of doing this job – I had tears in my eyes and was full of pride. Well done, Tyreece. This is such a huge achievement and you should be incredibly proud of yourself. You are a true success story for Hull Training and Matt Vinyl Graphics.”

Throughout National Apprenticeship Week, which runs until Sunday, 16 February, the Hull council will be sharing more stories about the positive impact of apprenticeships. Tyreece’s journey is a shining example of what the right apprenticeship scheme can do for both young people and businesses. For anyone in Hull interested in apprenticeships, whether as a learner or an employer, the HTAE apprenticeships page is the place to start exploring the possibilities for a new career and full-time employment.