‘You’re hired’. This phrase may be a rare occurrence on Lord Alan Sugar’s reality TV show The Apprentice but 241 lucky young apprentices have heard the magic words from bosses at Manchester City Council over the last year.
The authority was named the North West’s Macro employer of the Year at this year’s National Apprenticeship Awards.
On top of this achievement the council was also recognised in the prestigious UK Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list.
The list, compiled by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) in partnership with City and Guilds, recognises excellence in businesses that employ apprentices was unveiled during the Skills Show at the Birmingham NEC.
The council also has plans to recruit more apprentices each year through the council’s Apprenticeship Programme.
Councillor Sue Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Our Apprenticeship Programme and our efforts to promote Apprenticeships to local businesses demonstrate our commitment to giving residents the chance to build strong skills, as they look to embark upon a successful career.
“We will continue to create new opportunities for Apprentices to learn and progress with us in the future.”
On top of employing a high number of individuals the council, in partnership with the NAS, has encouraged more than 300 businesses around Manchester to invest in apprentices.
The council plan to continue this commitment to developing more opportunities for apprentices across the city in the future.
Christopher Denny is one of the success stories of the scheme has become an Apprenticeship Ambassador, talking to young people at schools and colleges about the city to inspire them to follow his example.
Mr Denny, 23, works for Manchester council’s South Manchester Regeneration Team and completed a one-year Apprenticeship in Business Administration this summer.
“I had no work experience, so to do an Apprenticeship, where you learn and get qualified on the job, was brilliant for me,” he said.
“I know that everything I’ve learned is specifically related to what I need to do at work.
“I think that after an Apprenticeship, you can be much more confident, because you know you have developed the right skills to do your job.”
Manchester City Council has been working with training providers The Manchester College and Manchester Solutions, along with NAS, Job Centre Plus and Connexions to build a strong Apprenticeship model.
Karen Woodward, Interim Director of Apprenticeships at NAS, said: “The vast range of employers on our Top 100 list just goes to show the huge impact Apprenticeships have on companies of all sizes and the UK economy.
“Apprenticeships are a brilliant way for businesses to grow their own talent, and nurture a dedicated and loyal workforce.
“All of the businesses on this list have shown a real commitment to their apprentices, and are shining examples of how engaging with Apprenticeships can help your business to thrive.”
Image courtesy of the BBC, with thanks
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