Central Bedfordshire Council news and press releases

We're supporting National Apprenticeship Week, 2019

Tuesday, 5 March 2019

This week (Monday 4 to Friday 8 March) is National Apprenticeship Week – and we will be taking the opportunity to highlight the benefits that apprenticeships offer.

We're a strong supporter of apprenticeships and currently employ 50 apprentices.

But we are not standing still and will be using National Apprenticeship Week to promote the benefits of apprenticeships to learners, as well as the positive aspects of taking on an apprentice to businesses.

Our staff and The Academy will be manning stalls and attending various events to hand out advice and information with the aim of raising awareness of future careers, how to become employable and how to access vacancies in the local area. This includes a series of roadshows in schools across the area from 4-15 March speaking to 500+ students.

Councillor Steven Dixon, Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, said: "The council is a firm supporter of apprenticeships – as well as other means of helping people to find work like traineeships and work experience. And by making our apprentices feel valued and wanting to stay, that helps us to grow a motivated workforce.

"Apprentices earn while they learn as well as gaining an accredited qualification along with plenty of on-the-job skills.

"Our apprentices are very hands-on and we really value what they bring to the council in terms of their skills, fresh ideas enthusiasm. We have apprentices working in a number of our teams such as highways, housing, HR, children’s and adult services.

"If you would like to find out more about doing an apprenticeship, or are a business thinking of taking on an apprentice, please do get in touch by emailing apprenticeships@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk as we’d love to tell you more."

Hannah Coles has just finished doing her Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship with The Academy.

She said: "I thoroughly enjoyed undertaking the Level 3 business administration apprenticeship. It has provided me with many new skills as well as enhancing the skills I already had, which I can now take on to my permanent position with the council. Not only did I gain a Level 3 qualification, I got paid along the way! I would highly recommend it to anyone – I now have tons of valuable experience and my confidence has grown dramatically!"

Even if there are no current opportunities, you can still register your interest. And if you are interested in working with young children, in a school or undertaking a business administration or customer service apprenticeship, send your CV to academy@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk