The search is on for local government’s top apprentice.
National Apprenticeships Week, held each February, is always a great time to shine a spotlight on the apprentices in our organisations and to reflect on their importance to councils.
While there has long been a variety of events to celebrate the successes of our apprentices, both in individual councils and regionally, there was previously no national event focusing specifically on apprentices in local government.
Last year, though, two regional employers’ organisations – East of England LGA (EELGA) and South West Councils – came together to discuss changing that.
They had both run ‘apprenticeship challenge’ events before the pandemic and were looking at whether they could move their events online and perhaps run one jointly.
Once they worked out how they could deliver a virtual event, they realised that there was no reason not to open it up to the whole of England.
That’s when they approached the LGA to ask for our help in getting the word out and to come on board as sponsor.
The event would have a similar format to their previous in-person ‘challenge’ events, with apprentices assessed throughout the day across six tasks involving solving problems for residents of a fictional town – designed to mirror decisions councils are taking every day.
Moving the event entirely online – a necessity during the pandemic – did make us a little nervous. Would the format work as well remotely?
As it turned out, the 2021 Local Government Apprentice of the Year event was an outstanding success.
Teams were still able to come together and work effectively, while networking time was built into the day so people could get to know each other and share ideas.
The virtual nature of the event meant it could be truly national and allowed apprentices to take part from all over the country.
And we were able to secure the then Apprenticeships Minister Gillian Keegan’s attendance, giving the apprentices the opportunity to ask her questions, which was extremely well-received.
In the end, more than 110 apprentices took part from eight of the nine English regions and feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive.
Entries are now open for the 2022 competition, until 4 May, to any Level 2 or 3 apprentice who is currently working in local government.
This exciting event will once again provide the opportunity for apprentices to learn, network and showcase their skills, expertise, and initiative.
Apprentices will again work in virtual teams to experience the opportunities, risks and challenges involved in delivering successful local government services, in a developmental environment.
The winner is…
Karla Overington, a business administration apprentice from West Sussex County Council, was the winner of the Local Government Apprentice of the Year 2021.
She felt the event required her to demonstrate engagement, teamwork and networking skills, while working with people she had never met before gave her the opportunity to see how others work and to hear about the ideas they had. “I thought the day was incredibly well organised and it had a great flow to it. Everything was explained very well and I was confident that I knew what was being asked of me,” she said.
Karla hopes to use the event as a learning experience to improve her skills and knowledge, and as a springboard to help secure a permanent role with the council.