The Christchurch and East Dorset Partnership is extremely proud to have welcomed our first apprentice, Dan Cliff.
Dan joined us this month and has started training as an IT Application Specialist. He is working with our Digital Marketing and Social Media team on updating graphics and content for the website and looking at ways to increase traffic to our social media pages. Dan has already begun to learn new skills under the wing of our experienced Graphic Design team – as you can see in the accompanying picture.
A priority for Christchurch and East Dorset Councils is increasing rates of employment and improving the skills-level of the existing and future workforce so that they meet the needs of potential employers. Encouraging companies to take on apprentices is a great way to close the gap between available job roles and appropriate people to fill them and can bring significant benefits to both.
For businesses, taking on an apprentice or apprentices means that employers can train people to have the specific skills needed for their business. Learning can be done in the workplace; it can be a way of attracting people with innovative, fresh ideas and a new perspective; it enhances a company’s public image; and with funding available to support an apprenticeship programme, it makes recruiting the right people a more cost-effective process.
For a young person, embarking on their working life for the first time or looking to change direction, an apprenticeship offers practical work experience leading to a recognised and valued National Vocational Qualification whilst also enabling them to earn a salary. Apprenticeships can give a real flavour of what working in a chosen industry is like while learning valuable life skills, all of which give apprentices a head start in the jobs market place.
Christchurch and East Dorset Partnership, in consultation with our managers and heads of service, has implemented a new apprenticeship scheme to offer jobs and skills development opportunities primarily for 16 to 18 year old school leavers. Along with Dan, we have now employed another bright young individual who will be working in a Digital Marketing Position for Two Riversmeet Leisure Complex. We are also currently recruiting for apprenticeships in Customer Services; Business Administration in Community and Open Spaces; Property and Engineering; Housing and Public Health; and Corporate Secretariat.
So if you are (or know) a bright young star looking for a job opportunity and the chance to develop skills whilst earning a salary, make sure to get in touch!
Allan Wood, our Communication Officer, has said:
“We hope that this scheme will develop our workforce of the future, retain young people in the area, support our local colleges in skills development and promote local government as a career. We are looking forward to welcoming many more young people into our organisation.”
This apprenticeship scheme is extremely important to Christchurch and East Dorset Council and falls under one of our key objectives – ‘improving life chances for young people’. So while Dan was our first apprentice, he will most certainly not be our last!
For more information about the Christchurch and East Dorset Partnership apprenticeship scheme, contact: hrteam@christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk