New apprentices start work at council

A NEW batch of apprentices has just started work at Swansea Council.

The 13 new recruits, now part of the council’s corporate building and property service department, will learn tricks of the trade in plumbing, electrical installations, plastering and bricklaying.

Some of the jobs apprentices work on include the installation of new kitchens and bathrooms in council houses, maintenance of some of the council’s iconic buildings and fixing tourist facilities on Gower in the height of summer.

The four-year apprenticeship programme is part-funded by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government.  The new apprentices will pursue their training with the Council’s Lifelong Learning and Employment Training Service (LLETS).

Cllr Andrea Lewis, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Next Generation Services, said: “This apprenticeship programme has been an outstanding success since its inception. It’s now benefitted more than 150 local young people who’ve been given a pathway to employment in key areas like plumbing, electrical installations, plastering and bricklaying. These are vitally important jobs because they keep Swansea ticking over on a daily basis.

“We’re also planning for the construction of the first new council houses in a generation in Swansea, so this is something our new apprentices could be working on as well.”

Cllr Jen Raynor, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “These continue to be difficult economic times, so it’s hugely pleasing that we’re still able to provide meaningful, skilled employment like this for our city’s young people. Hundreds of young people once again applied for the apprenticeship programme this year, which speaks volumes for its continuing popularity and relevance.

“The skills our new apprentices will learn over the next four years and beyond will stand them in good stead both in and out of the workplace.”

Apprentices spend four days a week being mentored by qualified staff, with the other day being spent in training. They get an NVQ Level 3 qualification in their chosen trade.

The council’s corporate building and property service department was also recently recognised as the UK’s best for the way it manages waste and recycling at the annual APSE (Association of Public Service Excellence) awards.

A comprehensive strategy means the department is now producing 52% less waste than eight years ago. This has led to a cost saving of £1.4 million and the diversion of more than 12,000 tonnes of waste from landfill.