The event, going ahead on Saturday (February 28) is designed to help school-leavers, parents, carers, adult learners, and employers explore apprenticeship options in one place.
Kevin Greenfield, programme director and regional lead at DYW Borders, said: “The feedback from last year’s Apprenticeship Showcase clearly showed how much value there is in bringing young people, families, and employers together in a relaxed and supportive environment.
“Parents and carers told us how helpful it was to see all the options available in one place, while young people appreciated being able to speak directly with employers without pressure.
“For businesses, it provided meaningful conversations with potential future employees.
“Following the success of the 2025 event, we are pleased to be bringing the showcase back to Kelso in 2026.”
According to DYW, the 2025 event attracted hundreds of attendees, providing the opportunity to connect with a wide range of employers, training providers, and education partners.
Visitors praised the convenience of being able to explore different pathways and make informed decisions regardless of age or career stage.
A key feature of the showcase was the promotion of Graduate Apprenticeships by universities.
This allows individuals to ‘Earn as You Learn’ by working towards a degree-level qualification while in employment.
The model enables academic learning to be immediately applied in the workplace.
Employers at the event valued the chance to engage directly with the community, explain their sector, and outline the skills and qualities they seek in future employees.
The face-to-face format helped businesses address questions, challenge misconceptions, and identify potential candidates for their workforce.
Borders Machinery Ring, a farmers’ cooperative based in the south-east of Scotland, reported positive outcomes from their participation.
Michael Bain, manager at Borders Machinery Ring, said: “We attended the Apprenticeship Showcase last year and found it extremely valuable.
“We came away with three or four strong leads and had a lot of conversations with young people who had not previously considered a career in the land-based sector.
“The event gave us a great opportunity to showcase the range of opportunities available, highlight how much technology is now involved, and raise awareness of the sector as a whole.
“It was very focused, and we knew we were speaking to pupils and parents who were either committed to an apprenticeship route or seriously considering it.
“As a result, we have filled all our apprenticeship places this year, with seven starts in the summer intake and a further intake planned for winter.
“I would absolutely recommend the event to other businesses, and we are looking forward to attending again.”
Students also responded positively to the relaxed environment, which allowed them to engage informally with employers and gather information at their own pace.
Emma Henderson, 19, found her apprenticeship in farming through the 2025 event.
Ms Henderson said: “I went along to the event looking for opportunities in farming and that’s where I found my apprenticeship.
“Growing up on a farm with my dad, I’d already had experience, but the apprenticeship has helped me learn new skills by working with different people and seeing how other businesses operate.
“Attending the event really helped give me focus, as I was struggling to find the right next step at the time.
“Having all the businesses there on the day made a big difference and helped me work out what I wanted to do.”
The 2026 Apprenticeship Showcase is funded by the Borders Local Employability Partnership as part of DYW Borders’ ongoing efforts to help young people in the region understand the full range of post-school options.
A limited number of spaces remain available for employers of all sizes who wish to attend the showcase.