During National Apprenticeship Week (10 – 16 February 2025), Calderdale Council is encouraging people to think about how an apprenticeship could change their life or business.
The week brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships and skills to celebrate the value, benefit and opportunity they bring.
The Vision 2024 for Calderdale recognises the incredible amount of talent across the borough. The Council is committed to growing this talent by offering opportunities like apprenticeships and encouraging local businesses to do the same.
Cllr Silvia Dacre, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, said:
“We want to reduce inequalities and help our towns and places to thrive. It’s important to us to give people of all ages and backgrounds the chance to build their talent and develop rewarding careers, and for businesses to develop a workforce with future-ready skills.
“So, we are big supporters of apprenticeships and other programmes like T Levels. We see the positive impact that these have on people, the Council and Calderdale. They not only address skills shortages, but are also an excellent way to bring in new talent and ideas, upskill existing staff and retain our workforce.”
Apprenticeships at the Council are for everyone. They provide a pathway for anyone wanting to start, progress or change their career. A wide range of options are available, including higher and degree-level apprenticeships.
Since April 2017, the Council has recruited to 127 apprenticeship vacancies across various services, including social work, IT, customer services, environmental health, human resources and more. Many of these people moved into other roles in the Council once completing their apprenticeship.
Since January 2023, the Council has worked closely with Calderdale College and taken on 16 students on their T Level industry placements, in services including sports, markets, IT and adult social care.
T Levels are qualifications for people aged 16 – 19, taken after GCSEs and focusing on technical and vocational skills. They can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships.
Sofian Riaz is a T Level management and administration student in the Council’s markets team. He says:
“I was quickly welcomed into the markets team, and despite being a younger person, was treated on the same level as any employee, being given a sense of responsibility, respect and the opportunity to contribute to the team. This has allowed me to not only enjoy my placement here, but to feel a valued member of the team.
“The markets provide a great learning experience. I am constantly being told new information about market procedures by my colleagues, building my knowledge and bringing a new perspective to something I didn’t know too much about. A lot of my work is admin based, which is great for building essential business skills for the working world.”
“[T Levels are] a great opportunity for work, and can provide post-education routes like apprenticeships and permanent jobs.”
Katie Glover is a newly qualified social worker at the Council, having progressed from an apprentice service co-ordinator and then an apprentice social worker. She says:
“My initial apprenticeship was a great stepping stone for the future, as I knew I wanted to be a social worker. This apprenticeship provided me with experience of working alongside social workers and gave me an opportunity to learn as much as I could about the world of Adult Social Care.
“I grew in confidence due to the effective team-working and shadowing opportunities, and could see a clear pathway to progression within the local authority. I felt supported by the management team and felt that they could see my potential in wanting to progress.
“Working a full-time job combined with studying towards a degree was both challenging and rewarding.”
Read more about Sofian and Katie’s stories here: https://news.calderdale.gov.uk/national-apprenticeship-week-stories(external link)
The Council is committed to the West Yorkshire Fair Work Charter, paying its apprentice roles the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage, alongside its other employee benefits.
For apprenticeship opportunities at Calderdale Council, please visit https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/jobs(external link)
If you are studying towards a T Level qualification at Calderdale College and would like a work placement with the Council, please speak to your tutor or placement co-ordinator. Building talent and supporting thriving towns and places through apprenticeships and T Levels supports the Vision 2024 for Calderdale: www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision(external link). 2025 will see the transition to the new Vision 34 for Calderdale, encouraging local communities to be bold and ambitious about what we can do next to make Calderdale a better place for all