Shropshire Council champions Apprenticeships First
Since 2017 Shropshire Council has been using the Apprenticeship Levy to enable its staff to build new knowledge and skills so that it can continue provide high quality services for its customers.
The council has since adopted an Apprenticeships First approach to learning, development, skills enhancements and recruitment. Over the next few years, as part of its Workforce Strategy 2022-25, the council will be embedding the new approach and increasing the number of apprenticeship opportunities, embedding career opportunities and pathways for those who work for the council.
To date, 296 people have been through an apprenticeship at Shropshire Council, which includes corporate services and maintained schools.
Since National Apprenticeship Week 2022, 75 apprentices have started learning – 28 have been new recruits and 47 have undertaken apprenticeships through professional development.
Building Skills for Life is the theme of National Apprenticeship Week 2023 (Monday 6 February – Sunday 12 February) and this is also a key element of the council’s Apprenticeships First approach: developing lifelong careers, encouraging progression and exposing apprentices to opportunities to build soft skills including communication, confidence, professionalism and adaptability.
National Apprenticeship Week 2023
The 75 apprentices have undertaken 23 different apprenticeship programmes, from Teaching Assistant Level 3 to Early Years Practitioner Level 5, Business Administrator to HR Support at Level 3. The council has also recruited to cohorts of Revenues and Benefits Welfare Practitioner Level 4, Social Worker Level 6, Children, Young People and Families Practitioner Level 4 in Residential Childcare and Accountancy Professional Level 7.
As well as ensuring it has the right mix of skills internally, the council is also able to support non-levy-paying employers to start staff on apprenticeship training through the Apprenticeship Levy. So far this year the council has provided funding for seven apprentices to start on apprenticeships: Chef De Partie Level 3, Digital Marketer Level 6 and Children, Young People and Families Practitioner Level 4.
Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for finance and corporate resources, said:-
“Apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity for people to earn while they learn, and many of our apprentices go on to secure permanent employment and further training.
“As you may know, we deliver a wide range of vital services to the people and businesses of Shropshire, from children’s social care, adult social care, schools, maintaining our shared environment, to building affordable housing. Therefore, we have a vast range of opportunities here at the council. Whether you’re leaving school and looking to start a new career or already in employment, we have something to suit everyone.
“If you, or anyone you know, are interested in the many opportunities I encourage you to find out more.”
A total of 143 (49%) of the council’s apprentices have now completed their apprenticeship, with the majority retaining their role, progressing to new posts or new apprenticeships. To hear more from our apprentices, people can take a look at the following case studies:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK_uHVQZB__AhFLBgNHzbL0AeEnu6tMjL
To find out more about apprenticeships at Shropshire Council, people can visit: https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/upskill-shropshire/apprenticeships-at-shropshire-council/
All job and apprenticeship vacancies at Shropshire Council are posted on: https://careers.shropshire.gov.uk/home.html#filter=p_web_site_id%3D6116%26p_published_to%3DWWW%26p_language%3DDEFAULT%26p_direct%3DY%26p_format%3DMOBILE%26p_include_exclude_from_list%3DN%26p_search%3D
For information on Apprenticeship Levy Transfer, people can visit: https://careers.shropshire.gov.uk/home.html#filter=p_web_site_id%3D6116%26p_published_to%3DWWW%26p_language%3DDEFAULT%26p_direct%3DY%26p_format%3DMOBILE%26p_include_exclude_from_list%3DN%26p_search%3D (next opportunity opens in April 2023).
