Drop-in events will showcase how council apprenticeships can open doors for all.
National Apprenticeship Week will take place this week, and Durham County Council is showcasing how it supports career changing opportunities.
Two drop-in events will offer information about apprenticeships at the council, where they are advertised and how to apply.
• Saturday 8 February, 10am to 1pm, Clayport Library
• Sunday 9 February, 10am to 1pm, Freeman’s Quay Leisure Centre
Fifteen-minute appointments can also be booked by emailing [email protected]
The council currently has 249 apprentices, with places offered throughout the year. A wide range of apprenticeships are available, including catering, accounting, construction and business administration.
Cllr Andrea Patterson, Cabinet member for corporate services and rural issues, said: “Apprenticeships offer people the chance to learn and gain a vocational qualification combined with invaluable on-the-job experience. It is important we support people to develop their skills, improve confidence and self-belief and enable them to progress. I’m absolutely delighted we are able to offer opportunities to people wishing to get onto the career ladder or change their career path.”
In addition to apprenticeships, the council offers a number of other opportunities for people wishing to get into work or change their career path.
Durham University graduate, Harriet Cunningham, started the new year with a new job, following an internship with Durham County Council.
Harriet, who is originally from Ripon, North Yorkshire, took on an internship at the council as part of the Change 100 scheme, a programme of summer internships to unlock the potential of students and graduates with disabilities or long-term health conditions.
The post not only meant gaining practical experience but helped build Harriet’s confidence and communication skills. Monthly sessions organised by the Change 100 team covered topics such as CVs and interview skills, goal-setting, how to ask for reasonable adjustments within the workplace, and networking tips.
Harriet’s internship came to an end in November and Harriet started a new job in the council’s records management transformation team the very next day.
Harriet said: “The jump from university to the workplace can be very daunting. The Change 100 scheme really helped me grow in confidence, thanks to the on-going support from mentors and special sessions.
“My placement was in the finance department at Durham County Council, where I learnt skills that I could add to my CV and demonstrate when applying for my new job in records management.”
Find out more at www.durham.gov.uk/apprenticeships