Council offers a step on the career ladder with successful apprenticeship programme

Over 160 apprentices are working with Carmarthenshire County Council, supporting the authority in a variety of roles whilst progressing their career.

The council runs a long and successful apprenticeship programme and is recognising the contribution apprentices make during National Apprenticeship Week (February 8-14).

Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for people to develop practical skills and get ready for the world of work.

The programmes provide a mix of workplace and academic modules leading to a nationally recognised qualification.

Many apprentices go on to full-time employment with their apprenticeship employer or move on to the next stage of their career with another employer.

Over recent years Carmarthenshire County Council has worked with many apprentices to complete a wide range of qualifications.

Currently, the authority has 166 apprentices undertaking many different roles, working towards several different qualifications.

Over the last year, despite being in the midst of a pandemic, 10 new apprentices have joined the council’s team.

They include Alaw Roberts and Eve Bryan who are MakerSpace apprentices based with Carmarthen and Ammanford libraries; Alex Caswell, Evan Davies and Ben Cooke who joined the council as Next Steps apprentices, working on property maintenance.

And Finn Quick, Elliot Lewis, Rhydian Jones, Tomos Williams and Elliot Brice who are undertaking Chartered Institute of Building higher apprenticeships in construction management.

Council apprenticeships are also flexible – Poppy Evans started her apprenticeship with the council as a business support assistant but has recently progressed into the Children and Family Services team helping to engage and recruit new foster parents.

Poppy, who is taking her apprenticeship through the medium of Welsh, is one of 10 apprenticeship ambassadors for Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol’s 2020/2021 academic year and runs a successful vlog about her apprenticeship experience.

Cllr Mair Stephens, Executive Board Member with responsibility for the council’s recruitment and employment matters, said: “We value the contribution our apprentices make to the council and are proud to have a long running apprenticeship programme.
“Apprenticeships are a two-way relationship – we benefit just as much as the apprentice does – and it’s always incredibly inspiring to see our apprentices grow and flourish by working and learning alongside experienced colleagues.

“Apprenticeship programmes offer a unique step into the world of work. We’re proud to offer a variety of opportunities and I would always encourage people to look into an apprenticeship programme as they consider their career path.”

More information about the council’s apprenticeship programme, details of new opportunities and in-takes, can be found at www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/jobs