Lewisham Council celebrates award-winning apprenticeship programme

With National Apprenticeship Week taking place between 6 to 12 February, Lewisham Council is marking the occasion by spotlighting the wide range of opportunities available through its award-winning Mayor’s Apprenticeship Programme.

This year’s theme is ‘Skills For Life’ which reflects on how apprenticeships can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge needed for a rewarding career and help businesses to develop a talented workforce equipped with skills for the future. The Council will be working closely with schools and colleges to spread the word.

Starting on Monday 6 February, a new video campaign - aimed at young people – launches. It features current Council apprentices dispelling myths around apprenticeships and presenting them as just as meaningful alternatives to attending college or university.

Also kicking off on Monday, the Council is posting a swathe of live apprenticeships – one for every day of the week – across a range of services. Potential apprentices can choose from varied roles including Family Practitioner, Training Coordinator, Painting and Decorator or Allocations and Lettings. Applications will be via the council website.

National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity for Lewisham Council to reflect on the achievements of the Mayor's Apprenticeship Programme which was launched in 2009. It has so far supported over 800 residents into a wide range of training and roles, with an incredible 82% of Council apprenticeships progressing into permanent employment.

The programme is award-winning too. Three Lewisham apprentices scooped accolades at the London Borough Apprenticeship Awards recently, including Ryan Robertson-Barnes in the Council’s Environmental Waste team who won the highly coveted Apprentice of the Year.

All apprenticeships supported by the programme are paid at the 21+ National Living Wage of ￡8.91 an hour, and all Council apprentices receive the London Living Wage which has recently to ￡11.95 an hour.

Cllr Kim Powell - Cabinet Member for Businesses, Jobs and Skills - said:

“We offer a wide range of apprenticeships at Lewisham Council and we’re excited to be celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2023 and supporting the next wave of apprentices. Apprenticeships are an excellent way to gain essential experience, earn while you learn and gain nationally recognised qualifications."

“For some, the apprenticeship route may not be an obvious choice but it’s the perfect way to gain new skills and start on an exciting career path. This is especially relevant during the current cost of living crisis where some young people may now be thinking twice about going to university due to the high fees. Which is why we’re working so closely with schools and further education settings to spread the word.”

The Council currently has 26 apprentices on its payroll including Reeshana Barnes who works as an Administrative Assistant in the Environmental Waste department. She combines her office job with studying for an apprenticeship qualification.

Reeshana said:?“I knew I didn’t want to go Uni as I wasn’t 100% sure of what I wanted to do after school and I’m more of a hands-on person. Choosing to do an apprenticeship at Lewisham Council has hands down been the best decision I’ve ever made. It gave me the opportunity to develop my skills and knowledge within administration while gaining hands on experience, leading to a level 3 qualification in Business Administration after 18 months.

“In most companies you are required to have experience and not just a qualification which being an apprentice ticks that box and gives you more of a chance when companies are looking for new talent. Apprenticeship offers a much higher level of support than ordinary jobs, as employers are there to guide you within your journey at the workplace and help you progress and get to where you need to be.“

For more information on apprenticeships visit the Council website.

Watch our short films featuring current apprentices.