Earlier this month saw five more apprentices join the council taking the total number appointed to over 200.
Connor Medwell, 21, from Middleton is an electrical apprentice based in the managed property services team in environmental management.
Saima Begum, 19 from Rochdale, is a school admin apprentice and is working at Heybrook primary school. Ryan Kelly, 18 and also from Rochdale, is a business support apprentice in the legal team of our resources directorate. Abbie Hughes, 18 from Whitworth, is a data systems hub apprentice based in the children’s services data team. And Thomas McHugh, 18 from Heywood, is a planning apprentice and has joined the economy planning team. After a week of getting to know the council and how it operates, as well as some fun outdoor activities working as a team, they began to learn about their chosen fields. Councillor Rachel Massey, Rochdale Borough Council’s cabinet member for children’s services and education, said: “It is important to give young people a choice. Not everyone wants to go on into higher education. Many young people want to begin their careers and training straight after school. Others start in jobs and realise they want a different path. An apprenticeship is a great way of entering a variety of careers and gives people a real chance to earn and learn. “We are really proud of our successful apprenticeship programme and it’s always good to see more and more people take up roles with us. We are pleased to be able offer a broad range of career experiences from working in adult care to roles in parks project management. “This latest cohort of apprentices is joining a very successful and highly-acclaimed apprenticeship programme run by the council which, over the last five years, has recruited to more than 200 role and long may it continue .“ As part of national Apprentice Week 06 – 10 February, the council will be recognising apprentices who have successfully completed their training with the council and have gone on to be employed. The council’s next intake is in May and vacancies will be advertised at the beginning of February. To find out more about the range of opportunities with the council visit: rochdale.gov.uk/apprentices