Sandwell Council has been celebrating apprentices during National Apprenticeship Week 2020 (3 – 9 February).
The week kicked off with a hugely successful Careers in Sandwell event where more than 200 people attended. The event, which had a special focus on apprenticeships, included job vacancies, support and advice and the chance to chat with Sandwell Council apprentices.
Sandwell College hosted an Apprenticeship Awards evening on Thursday. The winners included Sandwell Council’s Olivia Cleaver, who won the Special Award for Best Advanced Apprentice, Edward Barber, a former dairy farmer who is completing a plumbing and heating apprenticeship, who won the Special Award for Best Intermediates Apprenticeship and Rebecca Evans who works in the nursery at Christ Church Primary School who won the Special Award for Developing Apprentice Talent.
Apprentices gave a presentation to Sandwell Council’s cabinet during a meeting on Wednesday. Three apprentices gave a first-hand account of their experiences as council apprentices.
Councillor Danny Millard, cabinet member for skills and employment said; “Since I became a cabinet member I have had the privilege of being involved with and promoting the great work of our apprentices.
“There are some really outstanding apprentices working for the council and in businesses across Sandwell. The awards ceremony was a great celebration of their talent and hard work. I’ve been so impressed with our apprentices that I wanted to showcase their achievements to my fellow cabinet members.”
“National Apprenticeship Week has been a great opportunity to promote the value of apprenticeships. Our apprentices are an inspiration to us all and show the high aspirations of Sandwell. As a council, we are very committed to apprenticeships and getting people into employment.”
