South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) have, this week, celebrated National Apprenticeship Awareness Week, leading by example and taking on two new recruits themselves.

The Council is a long-standing supporter of the earn while you learn scheme and, coinciding with the start of National Apprenticeship Week 2023 on Monday, has celebrated the first week of work undertaken by two new recruits.

The Council Leader, Cllr Kelham Cooke, said: "SKDC has a long tradition of nurturing talent through the apprenticeship programme.

"The combination of workplace training and college study provides apprentices with the opportunity to gain valuable skills and knowledge, as well as a nationally-recognised qualification.

"An apprenticeship has enormous benefits and offers a great opportunity for people to learn valuable, transferrable skills and develop rewarding careers."

Since 2020, SKDC has taken on 21 apprentices, and eight others who joined before then, are approaching the end of their courses.

The latest, Darcey Brown and Rhiann White have started 18-month courses working with SKDC's Housing and Disabled Facilities Grants teams. They will spend nine months with each team before swapping over to gain wider experience of the organisation.

Darcey said: "I studied at college for a short time but felt it wasn't for me. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do but was very interested when I saw the apprenticeship advertised. I am excited to get started and see what I can learn over the next 18 months." 

Rhiann was at college before entering the world of work, and says her apprenticeship will provide an alternative career route.

She said: "When I left college, I knew I didn't want to study at university but wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I'm delighted to be joining SKDC as an apprentice to help develop my skills and gain a qualification."

Cllr Cooke said they were for people taking the first steps on their careers, those looking for a change of career, and existing staff who were developing their skills and qualifications.

He said: "SKDC delivers more than 100 services across the District so it is vital that apprenticeships reflect the breadth of what we do."

Apprenticeship roles with the Council range from Business Administration, IT, Environmental Health and HR, to electricians, plumbers and joiners. Most run for one, two or three years. While they typically lead to qualifications equivalent to GCSE and A-Levels, the Council also offers apprenticeships at degree and post-graduate level.

To find out more go to the SKDC website.