Young people encouraged to consider apprenticeships

Tewkesbury Borough Council is calling out for young apprentices to join its workforce.

Tewkesbury Borough Council is calling out for young apprentices to join its workforce

The council, which has run an apprenticeship scheme in partnership with Gloucester City Council since 2002, is looking to fill placements in planning, property services, and waste and recycling. The scheme is for school and sixth form leavers, and over the past five years has achieved a 95% success rate of apprentices moving into employment, with just under 60% being recruited internally.

Each apprenticeship lasts for one year and during that time the apprentices work towards a Key Skills Certificate, Business and Administration NVQ Level 2 or 3 and Technical Certificate, which means they leave with nationally recognised qualifications. The aim is to equip young people with the skills and experience they need to move into permanent employment, which has a really positive benefit on the local community and the economy of the borough.

Georgina Froggatt-Jury started as an apprentice with the council and is now employed full time within the revenues and benefits team. Georgina said: “My apprenticeship with the council was a great stepping stone into employment for me. I gained experience across a broad range of areas, while also learning and achieving qualifications at the same time. Thanks to my apprenticeship, I am now fully employed and enjoying the independence that comes with it. If anyone is unsure about what to do next, I recommend contacting the council to find out more about our apprenticeship scheme.”

Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Lead Member for Organisational Development Cllr Audrey Ricks said: “College and university isn’t for everyone, and our scheme offers young people the opportunity to come into our workplace and train in a friendly work environment while they learn. We invest in our trainees and our success rate, in terms of young people moving into employment following their placement, significantly exceeds the national average.

Tewkesbury Borough Council was a finalist in the Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2013 in the large employer category.

To apply for an apprenticeship or for more information, please visit www.tewkesbury.gov.uk/apprenticeships or phone 01684 272030.