Bristol council take on 22 new apprentices

by Michael Penkman. Published Mon 19 Sep 2011 13:49

Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Geoff Gollop, is welcoming 22 new apprentices starting work at the council this week.

This brings the total number of apprentices recruited by the council over the last three years to 160.

A further 29 apprentices have been recruited to the construction trade within the council in this period, through On Site Bristol.

The council’s first intake of apprentices, who came to the end of their contracts this summer, was in September 2009.

Over half of the graduates secured employment within the council, and around a third returned to full time education, or employment outside the council.

Lorna Whitehead, Apprenticeships Manager, said: “The scheme has been very successful so far, with positive feedback from managers and apprentices.

“In this round of recruitment, we are particularly pleased to have secured a press and media apprentice, in partnership with local radio stations Ujima and BCFM. The apprentice will spend two or three days each week working on various aspects of radio production and two days within our own marketing and communications team, initially working on a social media project.”

The council’s parks managers have worked closely with partners English Landscapes and Quadron, together with City of Bristol College, to develop a 22-month programme intended to help grow new talent to maintain and improve the city’s parks. Four apprentices will be starting the scheme in this round of recruitment.

Councillor Barbara Janke, Leader of Bristol City Council, said: “The latest national figures show that unemployment has hit young people particularly hard. Continuing with our apprenticeship scheme is therefore crucial to help a new generation of young people develop the skills and experience they need to continue in the workplace.

“I was extremely pleased to see reports of how many employers in Bristol, both big and small, have got on board with the apprenticeship programme and offered young people placements. This is key to securing Bristol’s future prosperity, and I am grateful to them for their support.”