Nottingham City Council is supporting the 13th annual National Apprenticeship Week, which runs from 3-9 February 2020.

To celebrate the week, Nottingham City Council and key local organisations, which work together as part of the Nottingham Jobs initiative, want to raise awareness of the fantastic opportunities available across the city and encourage residents to apply for the latest apprenticeships.

This year’s ‘Fire It Up’ campaign, splashed across the city, celebrates the diversity and value that apprenticeships bring to apprentices, employers and communities across the country.

The council runs its own apprenticeship scheme which has no upper age limit, pays national minimum wage, provides an opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification and is a great alternative to going to university. The council is hoping to recruit over 100 apprentices during 2020 in a variety of roles such as:

  • Administration Assistants, Accountants and IT Specialists
  • Leisure Centre Attendants, Swimming Instructors and Heritage Assistants
  • Gardeners, Park Rangers, Highways Operatives, Catering Assistants and Public Realm (bins/street cleansing) Operatives
  • Care Workers, Social Workers, Receptionists and many more

The council is looking for committed individuals – from all walks of life and every corner of the city – who are willing to learn and constantly develop themselves during their apprenticeship. The council invests heavily in its workforce to support their personal and professional development, with many of their apprentices becoming senior leaders across the organisation.

Cllr Neghat Khan, Portfolio Holder for Early Years, Education and Employment, said: “We are committed to equality and constantly strive to have an inclusive workforce that represents the diverse citizens we serve. We are looking for apprentices who will commit to our organisation, are able to demonstrate a great work ethic and want to develop and enhance their skills. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to get yourself on the career ladder and earn while you learn.”

Seventeen-year-old Chloe Cochrane-Smith has just begun her Digital Content Apprenticeship at Nottingham City Council in the Corporate Communications and Marketing team. She is tasked with growing the council’s neighbourhood social media channels and supporting the team.

Chloe said: “Doing an apprenticeship with the council is an amazing experience and one I am grateful to be a part of. It’s great to earn while I learn and I have gained so much confidence in my abilities already. The team I have around me are the best. They support me in everything I do and push me to do my best. I would definitely recommend applying to become an apprentice.”

If you want to ask Chloe a question about her experience so far, she will be joining a panel of apprentices for the council’s Facebook live Q&A on Monday 3 February from 6pm. Search ‘My Nottingham’ on Facebook and like the page for updates. The panel will also bust some myths, share their inspirational stories, talk about the great benefits of working for the council, chat through the recruitment process and, most importantly, announce the latest apprenticeships on offer.

For more information on the council’s apprenticeships and to see the ever-growing list of vacancies, visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/apprenticeships