COUNCIL’S APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES ANNOUNCED

Exciting opportunities are now available as part of Carmarthenshire Council’s Work Ready Programme.

Several apprentices and graduate trainees will be supported by the council under the programme, which was set up in 2012 to provide a diverse range of employment and work experience in a local authority setting.

The programme also co-ordinates requests for work experience from young people in Carmarthenshire, either as part of the schools’ programme, the Welsh Baccalaureate or Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

The Work Ready Programme has enjoyed considerable success since its inception, including over 500 work experience placements, some of whom progressed to apprenticeships and graduate placements.

Many of these then achieved employment within the organisation, to the armed forces or entry to higher level education, demonstrating how the programme supports different routes into employment.

The council’s Executive Board made the decisions to extend the programme after hearing about the personal successes of several apprentices and graduates who have furthered their careers following placements within various council departments.

They included trainee solicitor Sarah Morris who said she found it beneficial to study towards her qualification surrounded by experienced colleagues.

Daniel Thomas, who trained within the transport department, said: “I feel very fortunate – I was stuck in a career I didn’t want to be in, and now I’ve got an NVQ in business administration and gained a position in the council’s department for communities.”

Council Leader, Cllr Emlyn Dole, said: “This is an excellent success story. We’re all keen to extend this opportunity to more people and support them to train and hopefully become part of our future workforce.”

• Find out what apprenticeship opportunities are on offer on the council’s job vacancies page. Closing date for applications is August 10, 2015.