You’re hired! Council is top for apprentices - Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, UK

As Sir Alan Sugar prepares to appoint his new apprentice, the City of Lincoln Council was hailed as the leading large employer for apprentices in the region at the Apprenticeship Awards on Tuesday 2nd June.

The City of Lincoln Council won the regional ‘Large Employer Award’, beating hundreds of entries from the private and public sector to the title at a ceremony at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham.

The council, which was the only local authority at the awards, has had a successful apprenticeship scheme for 14 years, with more than 60 per cent of apprentices finding permanent jobs within the authority and rising through the ranks. 

There are currently 36 young apprentices at the council, carrying out jobs in a wide range of departments, including the anti-social behaviour team, human resources, benefits and building maintenance. 

The City Council was up against two major Lincoln companies in its category – Siemens and Lindum, who were each highly commended – proving that the city stands out in the region with its opportunities for young people.

Chief Executive of the City of Lincoln Council, Andrew Taylor accepted the award last night. 

"This is fantastic news for the City Council and for the city as a whole.  Our apprenticeship scheme has had enormous success, which has allowed us to grow our own talent and achieve our economic ambitions for the council and for the city.  We were the only local authority at the awards ceremony, and the fact that the three top large employers at the award are based in Lincoln just proves that this is a fantastic place for young people in the East Midlands region." 

Jane Newman coordinates the apprenticeship scheme and is delighted to have won the award. 

"We are very proud and excited to have won at the Apprenticeship Awards.  We’re now looking forward to the national awards in London in July and hope that our fantastic apprenticeship scheme will be recognised across the whole country.  My personal thanks go to everyone at the City Council who has helped us to develop and improve our apprenticeship scheme, as well as to our partners Lincoln College for their support and encouragement. "

 Jason Dobbs joined the council as an apprentice in September 2008 and now has a job within the Workflow Management team.

"I think the council deserves this award hands down, he said "My place as an apprentice has given me the opportunity to learn new skills in different departments within the council and work towards a qualification at the same time.  This put me a step ahead when it came to applying for jobs and I’ve now got a steady job with the council and a great CV for the future."  

The City of Lincoln Council will now go on to the national Apprenticeship Awards in July in London.

Article written by Lincoln City Council