Council apprenticeship is the way forward for many

Another 27 new apprentices have taken up a new career with Rochdale Borough Council.

This is the second highest number the council has taken on in a single cohort following the 28 apprentices who started their council careers in September 2021.

The new intakes sees 15 new teaching assistants go into local primary schools, six new business admin apprentices, three horticulture apprentices, two landscape apprentices and a finance apprentice.

Almost half are aged over 25, our highest of any intake yet, showing that age is no barrier to starting an apprenticeship.

Councillor John Blundell, cabinet member for economy and communications, said: “We’ve always been really committed to apprenticeships and I’m delighted that we keep getting such keen uptake with teams across the council and schools seeing the benefit of them and local people applying for them. Times are tough at the moment and I’m delighted to see the council leading the way in recruitment.”

Three quarters of the new apprentices live in the borough of Rochdale.

Zach Hashmi, apprentice teaching assistant at Broadfield Primary School, said: “The council’s apprenticeship programme felt accessible and much more interactive and supportive than other routes such as university. It’s been a great start so far and I’m looking forward to learning more. Being part of the council community also allows me to give back to my borough.”

Demonstrating a clear commitment to the future workforce, the council now has 70 apprentices currently working in its various departments or in schools. 

Sally Hall wanted a change of career so looked to the council’s apprenticeship scheme as a way into teaching. She’s taken up a teaching assistant apprenticeship at Caldershaw Primary School. She said: “When I opted for a career change I decided I really wanted to do an apprenticeship because I learn better on the job, rather than in a classroom or online. Also, earning while I learn is much more appealing.”

The new apprentices are joining a very successful and highly-acclaimed apprenticeship programme that the council runs, which over the last three years has taken on 147 new apprentices in a variety of roles.

Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s service and education, said: “We’re really proud of our apprenticeship programme and the opportunities it offers people, of all ages, to earn while they learn. I’m always delighted to see strong uptake in schools based roles, helping us building a robust teaching workforce for the future.”

Recruitment to the council’s apprenticeships programme for the January 2023 cohort opened on 26 September 2022. Please keep an eye on this website for the latest apprenticeship vacancies in the borough Find an apprenticeship (findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk)