Northumberland County Council - Skills for life events with Northumberland County Council

Level 7 Apprentice Vanessa smiling at the camera

Skills for life events with Northumberland County Council

03 Feb 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, 6 – 12 February 2023, Northumberland County Council is promoting a programme of great opportunities for people across the county.

The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2023 ‘Skills for Life’ is the 16th annual celebration of apprenticeships. The week will reflect on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career and help the Council to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with skills for the future.

Cabinet member for Corporate Services, Cllr Richard Wearmouth, said: “Last year we welcomed over 60 new apprentices to the council as well as invested in our own staff encouraging them to upskill through the apprenticeship programme - from entry to degree level.

"Apprenticeships are not only incredibly valuable to the council but to businesses across the county, ensuring we keep homegrown talent in the region.

"There's a common misconception they apprenticeships are only for school leavers but they're open to people of all ages and are a great way to change career, get back into work or upskill."

Three apprenticeship pop-up events will take place during the week, with more planned for the coming months - offering opportunities to speak to current apprentices and managers, meet the team and find out if an apprenticeship is the right career pathway.

Northumberland Communities Together will be joined by Northumberland Skills, the Council’s post-16 education provider in Cramlington on February 6 for a speciality catering apprenticeship event and supporting applicants applying for one of NCT’s 8 vacancies.

The Northumberland County Council Apprenticeships Team will be attending the Department for Work and Pension’s event alongside Northumberland Skills, in Cramlington on 10 February along with current apprentices to answer questions and give advice.

The team are also inviting members of the public to an open morning at County Hall, on Saturday 11 February 10am – 2pm and will be joined by current apprentices, managers and apprenticeship provider Northumberland Skills.

Full details of venue, times and other activities going on throughout the week can be found at: https://padlet.com/Northumberland/NAW2023

In 2022, The Council employed more than 60 apprentices, with almost 100 apprentices completing their qualifications from entry level, right up to degree as well as supporting more than 30 staff with upskilling through an apprenticeship.

One such member of staff who upskilled through an apprenticeship is Service Review Lead, Vanessa Easton, who credits upskilling with boosting her career. She said: “I was very fortunate to be able to upskill through a degree apprenticeship, I would never have completed a Masters Degree without the support available to me as an employee of The Council.

“Not only have I completed a level 7 Master's Degree, it has also equipped me to be a better manager, support my team and apply for more roles within the organisation.”

For information about apprenticeships with Northumberland County Council go to: www.northumberland.gov.uk/apprenticeships or email: apprenticeshipenquiries@northumberland.gov.uk

Full details of the apprenticeship pop-up events are: