Worcestershire County Council is poised to kick off a year-long celebration marking the tenth anniversary of Worcestershire Apprenticeships with National Apprenticeship Week as the catalyst.
National Apprenticeship Week 2024 (NAW24) runs from Monday 5 February to Sunday 11 February and showcases the opportunities apprenticeships provide. During the week Worcestershire County Council, alongside Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership will celebrate the success of individuals, businesses and apprenticeship providers as well as debunk myths surrounding apprenticeships.
Worcestershire County Council have seen over 260 employees engage in apprenticeships in the last year at all academic levels – from Level 2 (GCSE level) to Level 7 (master’s degree level) and many gaining employment with the local authority via them. More than 4000 people across Worcestershire started an apprenticeship, with an increase in take-up of school leavers opting to do one too. Around one in every twenty young adults leaving school during 2023 chose to do an apprenticeship, giving them the opportunity to earn as they learn new skills.
Francesca Gibbs, Worcestershire Apprenticeships Project Manager, said it was a great time to celebrate the counties success, “Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity for personal and professional growth, they’re an incredible route into employment and we’ve seen thousands of people locally take one on. National Apprenticeship Week allows us to put the spotlight on some of the local achievements, to myth bust, and it’s the perfect time for us to begin a year of celebrating our tenth anniversary. We’ve got some fantastic events planned, some surprises along the way, and I look forward to even more people use our WA Account and Bursary to find their perfect apprenticeship opportunity. It’s going to be a fantastic year!”
Councillor Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy, Infrastructure, and Skills said it was an exciting time: “Apprenticeships are an excellent chance for people of Worcestershire to gain employment and learn new skills. They are crucial for local businesses too, in bridging gaps in skills and for helping with future workforce planning. As we approach National Apprenticeship Week, we eagerly anticipate sharing inspiring stories, celebrating successes, and beginning a new decade of nurturing and identifying the skills of local people as we grow our apprenticeship programmes.”
National Apprenticeship Week will also culminate in the launch of Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2024, which will be held this year on 14 November, with the nominations opening for all categories on Friday 9 February. Anyone wanting more information on apprenticeship opportunities across Worcestershire, the WA Account & Bursary or information for local businesses can visit www.worcestershireapprenticeships.org.uk or contact Careers Worcestershire on 0300 666 3 666. For more on Worcestershire County Council’s Employee Apprenticeship programme please visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/apprentices.