Apprentices make a difference at City Council

An apprentice who helped the Council achieve a national award is part of a team getting a pat on the back at Full Council today.

Gregg Black may have just started his career but can already put ‘award-winning’ on his  CV after helping the Council’s Customer Services Team win ‘Case Study of the Year’ award in the annual GovMetric awards.

Greg along with fellow apprentices Gemma Tickle and Chelsea O’Callaghan put together a mock 1960s newsreel designed to get more customer feedback through GovMetric, the Council’s feedback system. With the support of other advisors, they also dramatically increased the number of people commenting on Council services on the system which features the smile, frown and straight faces icons. 

Gregg is part of a group of staff from Customer Services being recognised for their hard work and achievement at Full Council today.

“The award highlights the amazing work of apprentices across the Council,” said Leader Tudor Evans. “All our departments have looked at how they can help give young people an opportunity to get into work and one of the most striking points that our staff have mentioned has been the enthusiasm, drive and sense of involvement in work life our apprentices have.”

The Council currently has 40 young apprentices – including a number created specifically as a result of the 1000 Club campaign –  a further 19 people are studying under the apprenticeship scheme although are not under the age of 25.  More apprentices are in the pipeline.

Councillor Evans said: “If there is one thing I would like to pass on to businesses considering apprentices, it is that they have certainly brought new skills and ideas into the workplace  – particularly computer and social media skills.

“They also treat every day as though they it was a job interview and are constantly proving themselves more than capable.”

Over the last year, nine have completed apprenticeships with the Council ranging from NVQs in business and administration to horticulture. Some have gone on to become permanent members of staff, while others who have since left have all gone onto permanent employment.

Plymouth has a higher percentage of young people on claiming unemployment benefits – 33 per cent compared to 27 per cent nationally and last autumn Plymouth launched the 1,000 Club to make it easier for employers to support a young person into work. This could include work experience, graduate internships, apprenticeships and jobs – full or part-time.

The 1,000 Club is set up through the Plymouth Growth Board – a partnership between business and senior public sector leaders. 

Since its launch large and small businesses have climbed on board and created nearly 300 opportunities to help young people gain experience of working life.

For more information about the 1000 Club visit www1000club.co.uk. If your company is interested in offering support to the club contact Linda Crane on 305429.