The positive impacts apprentices make to Bath & North East Somerset Council and the area as a whole will be celebrated during National Apprenticeship Week which starts today (February 5).

The 17th annual celebration has the theme 'Skills for Life' and will showcase the benefits of apprenticeships and how they help people to develop the skills and knowledge to build a rewarding career, as well as how they support employers to develop their workforce for the future.

The council currently has 97 apprentices working in areas including accountancy, social work, IT, libraries, and environmental services. Some of these are new recruits to the council and some are staff developing new skills.

Paige Moseley, a planning officer in the council's Development Management team, began her career as an apprentice town planner in 2021 before securing her current role at the end of 2023.

She spent four days a week at the council and one day a week at University of the West of England while completing her Master's degree.

Paige said: "The best thing about the apprenticeship is that I was able to move between departments and get involved in different areas of planning to gain a variety of experiences.

"I was given real responsibility and case work, which is valuable for future job prospects generally and also helped me get the role I have now. I had a great mentor who supported me and it was so helpful to be able to ask the whole team for advice too. The chance to get work experience alongside studying is invaluable and I wouldn't have been able to complete a Master's without this opportunity."

Councillor Matt McCabe, cabinet member for Built Environment and Sustainable Development, said: "Our congratulations go to Paige, whose success is an excellent example of how apprentices can progress into a full-time career and add value to an organisation.

"We offer a wide range of apprenticeships and they are an excellent way to gain essential experience, earn while you learn and gain nationally recognised qualifications which really are 'skills for life'.

 Councillor David Wood, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Council Priorities and Delivery, said: "National Apprenticeship Week shines a light on the positive impact apprentices make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

"Those benefits are the reason we share some of our apprenticeship levy with local SMEs to help them develop their workforce and create new apprenticeship opportunities. We currently support 14 businesses in B&NES to fund 17 apprenticeships worth a quarter of a million pounds. 

"I'd urge employers to consider if they could join other organisations including the council in tapping into the future talent in our region."

 During the Week, which runs until February 11, the council will run a series of internal events to champion apprenticeships including spreading the word about the current opportunities available, hearing from leaders and managers about how apprenticeships have a positive impact and a session where apprentices themselves will share more about their experiences.

Current apprenticeship opportunities at Bath & North East Somerset Council can be found at https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/find-job.

Meantime,

Close to £4 million has now been pledged to help people across the West of England region develop new skills through apprenticeships, Mayor Dan Norris has announced (today Monday 5 February) at the start of National Apprenticeship Week.

Insurance giant Aviva has joined the growing list of big regional and national employers who have pledged to invest in apprentices by joining the "Share to Support" scheme run by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, and Western Training Provider Network.

The scheme sees apprentice-levy paying employers passing on their unused levy funds so that more apprenticeships can be created by small employers.

Aviva has pledged £100,000 to Share to Support which has already funded over 300 apprenticeships for local residents – with more now on the way.

Mayor Dan Norris is urging other big regional firms to sign up to Share to Support. He said: "Thank you to Aviva for signing up to the West of England Share to Support scheme. This means even more cash raised for apprenticeship training in the West stays in the West.

"I am proud of Share to Support. The millions we've already raised is being put to excellent use here, helping equip local people right across our region with the skills they need.

"But I want us to go further. That's why I am encouraging more West of England firms to sign up - and help us train up even more locals and share opportunities for everyone."

Aviva, who have strong links with the West of England region with a large base in Stoke Gifford, are the latest big employer to commit apprenticeship funds to Share to Support.

They join the likes of Airbus, GKN, Southern Co-op, and others, supporting smaller firms take on apprentices in the West.