City of York Council

York College: Apprenticeship Programme

During 2011/2012 the City of York Council highlighted a number of vacancies available in various departments and embraced the opportunity for workforce development by offering 36 new apprenticeship places at intermediate and advanced level.

York College was selected to deliver apprenticeship training alongside the council’s training arm, York Training Centre. After consultation, job descriptions were reviewed and recommendations were given on the most appropriate training route. It was identified that the vacancies could be filled by apprenticeships.

Laura Cadywold, Strategic Resourcing Assistant Advisor, commented on the service York College provided: “The College’s Business Development Unit arranged for the apprenticeship vacancies to be advertised on the National Apprenticeship Service website, resulting in a number of applications for each vacancy. York College also assisted during the recruitment days, providing information to candidates about the training. They assessed each candidate ensuring that the courses chosen were suitable in relation to their existing qualifications.”

The training and delivery of the apprenticeships enabled candidates to work towards either an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship. York College organised flexible start dates and allowed the City of York Council to structure the appointments of candidates to suit the business. The College is proud to have been a partner in this initiative, supporting apprenticeships for the Council in Accounting, Joinery, Heating Engineering, Catering and IT.

Council leader Cllr James Alexander said: “The taking on of 36 new apprenticeships at the City of York Council represents an investment not only in young people but in the economic well being of York.”