BCP Shadow Council's Chief Executive Meets Apprentices for National Apprenticeship Week

Apprentices working for the Borough of Poole and Bournemouth Borough Council met with the BCP Shadow Authority Chief Executive, Graham Farrant, on Wednesday 6 March 2019, to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week.

The event provided the apprentices with the opportunity to find out more about the future vision for BCP through an inspiring presentation from Graham. The apprentices were also able to have their voices heard through a Q&A with the Chief Executive.

Graham Farrant, Chief Executive for BCP Shadow Authority said: "The apprenticeship scheme is a really good way to attract workers to the council. Working for a council may not sound very exciting, but the scheme is a great way for us to get skilled, young people working for us. Overall, I think it’s a really good scheme which is beneficial for us and for the apprentices".

Councillor Nicola Greene, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, Bournemouth Borough Council said:

"This event was an excellent opportunity for apprentices to get together and meet Graham to hear about the future vision for BCP Council and to give their own views."

Councillor Mike White, Cabinet Portfolio holder for children and young people services, Borough of Poole said:

"We are pleased with the success of the event and are excited about the future opportunities for apprentices under the new authority."

Jack, Digital Degree Apprentice said:

"I learn best through doing and putting things into practice, so an apprenticeship is a brilliant way for me to enhance my skills and knowledge. The Council has always been very supportive with my 20% study time, and far from being viewed as the tea boy of the office, I have been made to feel a valued and trusted member of the team. The Apprentice Learning Network is a fantastic way to meet other apprentices across the Council and learn from one another in a more relaxed environment. I can genuinely say I love my job!"

Bournemouth Borough Council and Borough of Poole work with several training providers to run the apprenticeship scheme, including Skills & Learning.

Notes for editors

1. The Apprentice Learning Network (ALN) was originally set up through the Learning & Partnership Agreement. This was established via collaboration between the Unions and HR. Freya Kendall, Marketing officer, and Nick Hillman, Business Apprentice, volunteered to help with the planning and running of the ALN.
2. Freya and Nick have worked with HR to organise learning and development opportunities for current apprentices. They have organised wellbeing, shadowing and team building training opportunities which has enriched the apprenticeship programme. Nick and Freya have also recently won the ‘Young Member of the Year Award’ at UNISON’s 2019 Get Active Event for the work they have carried out for the ALN.
3. As the group has expanded so has the team who volunteer to organise the ALN. Recently Jack Matthews, Digital Degree Apprentice, Zak Cusens, Rights of Way Apprentice, and Matthew Tibbey, Communication and Participation Apprentice, have volunteered to help plan and organise future events and training opportunities for the ALN. Zak has also volunteered to undertake the UNISON Learning Rep role within the Local Branch to help support and expand the training opportunities available to apprentices, young people and fellow UNISON members.