Apprentices with Westmorland and Furness Council were welcomed to a special celebration event as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
The event, at Voreda House in Penrith, began with senior leaders expressing gratitude to apprentices for their hard work, dedication and the positive difference they make to communities.
There was an inspiring presentation from the Westmorland and Furness Early Careers and Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (WE CAAN), a group who are passionate about promoting apprenticeships as a rewarding career path.
The event culminated with uplifting stories about individual career journeys, including Max Townley, who is coming to the end of his apprenticeship before starting a permanent position with the council as a Project Support Officer.
He said: “I had a great opportunity to move around within different teams in the council, to apply the experience I was getting and to learn more. I was always encouraged to take on projects that would benefit both the organisation and my apprenticeship.”
In the year up to March 2024, the council had 91 apprentices and another 23 within its maintained schools.
Councillor Jonathan Brook, Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, told the apprentices: “You are such an important part of this council.
“You bring fresh eyes and ears, with energy into our mix, and you have a key part to play, as we blend your thoughts and ideas with the experience and insights of those of us who have been around for a bit, or indeed a lot, longer!”
The council is currently recruiting for dozens of new apprentices across Project Management, Highways and Engineering, Finance and Accountancy, Business Administration, Digital and Data, Health and Social Care, Catering and more – with opportunities from Level 2 to Level 6 (degree-level).
To explore the opportunities on offer, visit careers.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/apprenticeships.
A video from the celebration event can be viewed on the council’s YouTube channel.
