Posted on Monday 3rd February 2020
From left to right) Staffordshire County Council apprentices Holly Carr, Ashley Cooper and Alice Jones
Holly Carr, Alice Jones and Ashley Cooper are three Staffordshire apprentices joining in the celebrations for this year’s National Apprenticeship Week.
The trio, currently undertaking higher level apprenticeships with Staffordshire County Council are sharing their experiences as part of the annual campaign starting today (Monday 3 February).
26-year-old Holly Carr from Stafford is an Administrator with the county council’s legal services team. Holly said:
“Having worked in Legal Services for a number of years now, I can highly recommend apprenticeships.
“I started my career at the county council on a Level 2 apprenticeship in Business Administration and I am now progressing to a Level 6 Chartered Legal Executive Apprenticeship. I think they are a great way of training and learning on the job whilst still being paid. I’d definitely encourage people to go down the apprenticeship route.”
44-year-old Ashley Cooper from Stafford has worked in Local Authority for 23 years, eight of which with Staffordshire County Council. He is currently finishing off a Level 5 Leadership & Management Apprenticeship. Ashley said:
“I am a big supporter of continuous professional development and that is why I was interested in doing an apprenticeship as it enables me to further develop my skills in the workplace.
“I have really enjoyed the course and the insights it has provided, and it has made a big difference in the way I work. I would highly recommend an apprenticeship for anyone who is looking to further their career or enhance their current skills.”
Alice Jones is a Trainee Legal Executive with the county council’s legal services team doing the Chartered Legal Executive Apprenticeship programme. The 23-year -old from Stoke-on-Trent said:
“Staffordshire County Council has given me the opportunity of a lifetime. I am now able to progress my career and qualifications whilst getting paid at the same time. I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship for anyone looking for an alternative route to get the qualifications they need to start their career.”
Apprenticeships continue to play a vital role in growing Staffordshire’s economy and last year over 9,000 people started an apprenticeship, a 5% increase on the previous year. Despite the increase, more apprenticeship opportunities are needed to meet the demand from young people who are keen to work and learn and take the first step to a good career.
Philip White, Cabinet member for Learning and Employability at Staffordshire County Council said:
“Once again we are pleased to be supporting National Apprenticeship Week to celebrate the enormous success and achievements of all our apprentices.
“We have a fast growing economy here in Staffordshire and apprenticeships are playing a key role in our success. We continue to create more highly skilled, better paid jobs, so there are great opportunities for people like Alice, Ash and Holly who have the right training.
“I am really pleased to see that more and more young people are choosing the apprenticeship route and enjoying the career and earning advantages an apprenticeship opens up. I’m also looking forward to our Apprenticeship Graduation ceremony later in the summer when we get the chance to celebrate with our apprentices, training providers and employers.”
The county council is also supporting the national ‘Fire it Up’ campaign to highlight the benefits of apprenticeships to local employers.
And, later in the summer, the county will be hosting its 6th Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony. The ceremony on Wednesday 15th July at the County Showground in Stafford gives apprentices the chance to celebrate completing their apprenticeships with family and friends, as well as their employer and training provider. Registration opens on 2 March 2020 at www.GraduationCeremony.co.uk search Staffordshire.
People can find out more about apprenticeships at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/apprenticeships. Employers interested in taking on an apprentice can also get advice and support by calling the Ladder for Staffordshire on 03332 409 699.