Fylde Council are delighted to be supporting the 17th National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), a week dedicated to the celebration of apprentices. NAW, to be held from 5-11 February 2024, provides an opportunity to promote the positive impacts for apprentices, employers and the wider economy.
Apprenticeships combine on-the-job experience with quality training and the chance to earn a wage. For many young people, they’re a great alternative to other forms of further education. For people of all ages, apprenticeships are an ideal way to get hands-on, real-life experience, learning on the job while securing an affordable and effective route into a career.
Fylde Council is proud to have 4 apprentices across the organisation, encompassing different apprenticeship programmes including Business Support with Marketing and Building Control.
Fylde Council also work closely with AFC Fylde Community Foundation on an Apprenticeship Project. This has been made possible through Fylde’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation and supports the delivery of apprenticeship opportunities across the Borough. The focus of this year’s NAW is ‘Skills for Life’. Recognising the importance of this theme, the Community Foundation assist individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and employers to develop a workforce with future-ready skills.
Through working with the Community Foundation on the recently established Apprenticeship Project, the first 5 new apprentices are due to begin their new career journeys in the coming weeks.
Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “Many capable and hardworking people, of all ages, simply need the opportunity to gain essential experience and show their worth to become invaluable assets to any organisation. It is deeply rewarding to help the leaders of tomorrow develop the vocational skills that will allow them to excel, and we are delighted to be involved in the Apprenticeship Project.”
Wes Partington, Director of AFC Fylde Community Foundation, said: “Apprenticeships are a great way for young people to start their career and for local businesses to develop their workforce. The Apprenticeship Project has enabled us to provide support to businesses to employ apprentices and identify suitable young people to become apprentices.”
Read testimonials from apprentices at Fylde Council:
Maisie Willder, Business Support with Marketing Apprentice: “Working with Fylde Council provides an excellent opportunity to gain experience and knowledge while achieving a qualification. They encourage thinking outside the box to find solutions and provide a strong network of support for work and for personal well-being.”
Josh Whittingham, Building Control Apprentice: “Working with Fylde Council is a great opportunity to learn new skills and grow in your chosen profession whilst having all the support you need from a team of your peers. As an apprentice at Fylde Council, I am constantly seeing new things and gaining experience on the job, whilst attending university to further my career.”
If you’re a business owner based in the borough of Fylde and are interested in the Apprenticeship Project programme, please get in touch with Chris McNally at AFC Fylde Community Foundation on 01772 598856 or email chris.mcnally@afcfylde.co.uk
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
Keep up to date with the latest Fylde Council news by following us on social media or subscribing to our newsletter. Any new information will be posted directly through these channels, so if you are following us, you’ll be the first to know.
