Apprentices at Nottingham City Council are getting together to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2024, which takes place between 5 and 11 February.

The week offers organisations the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of apprentices around the country, and to acknowledge the positive impact they make to communities, businesses, and the wider economy.

The theme this year is Skills For Life, and apprentices at the council will be delivering talks and workshops to managers and other colleagues, as well as taking on a workplace-based Taskmaster challenge, a Slam Bingo session to help learn about transferable skills, and more.   

Apprentice Jaiquane Pallant, who joined the council in September last year and is part of the team organising the week, said: “It’s been great fun putting everything together for the week, and I think we’ve all learned a lot. I’ve enjoyed meeting up with other apprentices and I’m looking forward to delivering the events.”

Councillor Jay Hayes, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “We have an award-winning apprenticeship programme and a high retention rate for those we employ. It’s great to see apprentices being celebrated in this way.”

The week also includes a visit from Alex Norris, MP for Nottingham North, who will meet apprentices from the council’s Housing Services department to find out more about its apprenticeship programme, career journeys to date and aspirations for the future, and get some insight into what it’s like to be an apprentice. In turn, apprentices will have an opportunity to chat with Mr Norris about his career and experiences as an MP.

He said: “Apprentices are a valuable part of the UK workforce – apprenticeships not only allow people to develop skills in their area of interest, but offer a great foundation for a career, as well as a boost to those already following their chosen career path.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the council’s apprentices and hearing their hopes for the future.”