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The Council’s higher level apprentices gave Councillors presentations about their learning and development journeys at a meeting of Stronger Council Select Committee on Tuesday 15 October 2019.
Meet our apprentices
Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) take on Business Administration and Construction apprentices every two years. The scheme aims to hire local young people, aged between 16 and 18 that are not in work or education.
EFDC’s nine new Level two apprentices were given the opportunity to introduce themselves and five of the Council’s higher level apprentices gave presentations about their experiences working for the Council to the Committee.
Higher level apprentices
All five began their career journeys studying for Level two Business Administration qualifications, moving on to complete their Level three qualification in customer services in their second year.
Opportunities
The opportunity for further study at college, working with a careers coach and real workplace experience was the ideal for Sam Barrett who is undertaking a higher level apprenticeship in Council Tax. Sam is working towards gaining a qualification with the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation. He explained the mixture of training, shadowing and feedback from other colleagues has been invaluable to him so far.
In their first two years of their initial placement, apprentices gain valuable experience by changing placement every 6 months within the organisation.
Amy Buckley, currently working towards her Digital Marketing apprenticeship said “I left school and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. An opportunity came up here and the mixture of qualification and work experience was ideal. When I found out we moved placements every six months, I realised this was perfect for working out what I wanted to do. It’s helped me learn more about myself and where I shine.”
Coaching and support
Aside from paid work experience and the opportunity for higher education, coaching and personal support is a key benefit from taking an apprenticeship. Lysandra Halmshaw explained, “I am now a corporate coach, which I feel has been a great development point for me. I know how much coaching helped me and I’m pleased I will be able to give someone the same opportunity that I have had.” Lysandra is now working with the Economic Development team, working on key projects such as the Digital Innovation Zone.
Useful qualifications
Maggie Rankin spoke to Councillors about her higher level apprenticeship, she is working towards her CIPD qualification in HR. She said explained that with hard work, she hopes to achieve the Level three qualification with CIPD, a qualification that is recognised across a number of industries. Maggie has been working with newly appointed apprentices to provide them with the support she understands they need.
Degree level
Councillors were delighted to hear from Rebecca Moreton, who started at the council as a level two apprentice in 2015 and is now in full time employment as a Project Improvement Officer. Rebecca is working towards achieving her Chartered Management degree with Anglia Ruskin University. Rebecca has so far successfully completed her first year with a 2:1 and is hoping for a first in her second year.