People and communities
Walsall Council celebrates apprentices this National Apprenticeship Week 2024
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Walsall Council is celebrating the invaluable contribution of its apprentices during this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, which runs between 5-11 February 2024.
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) provides an opportunity for the education and skills sector to celebrate the achievements of apprentices and the impacts they make.
The theme for the 17th National Apprenticeship Week 2024 is Skills for Life, a concept which Walsall Council embraces through its apprenticeship programme Endless Possibilities.
The idea of ‘Growing our Own’ runs through the programme, which boasts a 98 per cent apprentice retention rate and has celebrated many achievements over the last 7 years.
An example of this concept in action is Courtney, who works in the facilities management department and joined the council back in 2020 when she was 16.
Courtney has gone on to be promoted within Walsall Council’s facilities team and now works as a facilities officer.
“ As soon as I left school, I found myself a level 2 apprenticeship at the council in business administration.
Going through the apprenticeship programme has helped me get to where I am, as I am a completely different person now.
The programme has allowed me to gain so many new skills, but also gain knowledge doing hands-on work whilst training at the same time. “
Another example of Walsall Council ‘Growing our Own’ is Sairah, who has been with the council for two years and now works as a PA to directors.
“ At school, they didn't really talk about apprenticeships much, if you were capable, they pushed you to go to university, but I wasn’t really a fan of the traditional way of education.
I always thought apprenticeships would be better for me, so I applied for it and got it. “
Sairah’s work during her apprenticeship was recognised at the end of 2022 when she won a Ladder for the Black Country Apprenticeship Award in the category Professional Services.
Job seekers and school leavers alike are encouraged to consider what opportunities may be available to them through apprenticeships.
Apprenticeship vacancies can be found on both www.wmjobs.co.uk/jobs/apprenticeship-9/ and www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship for alerts for new vacancies.
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Follow for more information about apprenticeships in Walsall at X/Twitter @Walsall_Apps Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WalsallApps
Find out more about apprenticeships at Walsall Council at https://go.walsall.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers-/apprenticeships-at-walsall
