Apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly popular route to enter the world of work, to earn while you learn. And there are more than 100 opportunities available right now.
Ealing Council offers two apprenticeship schemes: One working within the council itself, and one working at local businesses.
The next round of vacancies at the council will be advertised in April, so you can start to find out more now. And there are 129 vacancies waiting right away with local businesses, thanks to the council’s Ealing Apprenticeship Network.
‘THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR ME’
Ellis Donaldson (pictured above), 18, started an apprenticeship at the council in its safer communities team last year.
She said: “My apprenticeship has allowed me to gain experience across a wide range of activities. I’ve really enjoyed the variety, especially when every day is different.
“I think there are a lot of pressures on young people to go to university or follow certain career paths. I thought about university, but realised it wasn’t the right choice for me.
“The council’s apprenticeship programme was the perfect choice for me. It gave me a step-up into the world of full-time employment while still receiving lots of support and training. It has been a really positive experience and I would encourage anyone leaving school who is unsure of what they want to do next to consider an apprenticeship.”
Ellis was awarded a significant achievement award at the council’s annual awards and is to work for a level 4 qualification.
‘I DEFINITELY MADE THE RIGHT DECISION’
Musawar Khan, 19 began his apprenticeship at Ealing Council over a year ago, working at the Copley Close estate regeneration project.
Each council apprentice works within a council team as well as studying for vocational qualifications. It involves a one-year training agreement with the option of a second year, and an allowance starting from £210 per week.
“An apprenticeship appealed to me because I wanted to gain experience early on,” said Musawar. “I wasn’t too keen on going to university and having to pay student debt in the long term. With an apprenticeship you get your qualification and a salary alongside all the other benefits that come with it. I definitely made the right decision. It’s a great opportunity to get your foot in the door early on.”
In September Musawar was awarded 2017 Ealing apprentice of the year at the council’s annual awards. He is working towards a level 3 qualification and would then like to continue his career in the housing sector.
He added: “I’ve learnt a lot of things on the job and I’ve got to network with a lot of interesting people from different backgrounds, all while gaining new skills and getting paid. So I think apprenticeships are not just good for the professional aspects but also from a social perspective. It’s a really good scheme.”
‘WE HEAR COUNTLESS TESTIMONIALS’
Councillor Peter Mason, cabinet member for prosperity, skills, employment and transformation, said:
“Apprenticeships work for everyone. They provide apprentices with unrivalled, on-the-job training and a route into a career while also making a huge contribution to the companies they are placed with – or, indeed, to the council.
“We hear countless testimonials about the positive impact they make.
“More than 650 apprenticeship vacancies have been created in five years through our work with local businesses, with more than 200 additional placements being created at the council itself in the past 10 years.
“We have a wide variety of opportunities available again this year and I’d encourage anyone reading this who is interested to find out more immediately.”
Interested? Here is what to do next
The first thing to do is visit www.ealing.gov.uk/apprenticeships – and from here you can:
- Find out more about the Ealing Council apprenticeship scheme, eligibility criteria and to sign up to receive apprenticeship vacancies updates
- Or, if you think you have what it takes to fill one of the 129 placements with our local businesses, fill in an online questionnaire. You could be invited to a workshop or to meet with an advisor.
