Councillor Scott Dickinson, business chair at Northumberland County Council and ward councillor for Druridge Bay

Northumberland County Council is offering an ‘immediate’ extra 23 apprenticeship places to young people in the County as it continues its tradition of offering employment and skills opportunities to young people. Recruitment will start in the New Year as the authority gears up to create even more opportunities for apprenticeships in the county.

The Council already employs around 134 apprentices and is committed to appointing new apprentices every year over the next 5 years eventually totalling 760 new apprentices.

Not only do apprentices gain valuable workplace experience, the council also offers further education and employment to many of the young people it takes on.

Councillor Scott Dickinson, business chair at Northumberland County Council and ward councillor for Druridge Bay said:

“As a new administration we’re pledging to go even further with the aspiration of doubling the number of apprentices we take on. Our ‘down payment’ will be 23 new apprenticeships starting in the New Year but we’re going much further. Our plan is to create 760 new apprenticeships over 5 years with our ambitious affordable homes pledge creating 400 construction skill based apprenticeships in its own.
“We take our role, as a major employer in the County, very seriously and recognise the importance of offering young people in Northumberland a chance to join a skilled workforce where they can learn from highly skilled and experienced people.”


Ends

Notes for Editors
• 400 apprentices will be employed over the next 5 years on the County Council’s ambitious affordable homes policy which will see at least 2000 affordable homes built across the county.
• The apprenticeships will include ‘stipulations’ within contracts that ensure the ‘contractor creates local jobs.
• This year’s apprentices will work across the various service areas including Highways, Transport, and Fire and Rescue.
• An initial 12 apprentice places were offered this month with a second cohort due to start in the New Year.
• The Council has offered several apprenticeship places for many years and as with this year many go on to work for the authority after having their contracts extended.
• Ten apprentices from last year have had their contracts extended to be supported through level 3 and two will be supported through to HNC level to become full-time highways inspectors.
• The apprenticeships scheme is a result of the close partnership between the council’s employability and skills teams and training providers; Northumberland College, TDR Training and the Adult Learning services.