Further opportunities for young people at Winchester City Council
Providing career opportunities for young people has been a priority for Winchester City Council this year, with two apprentices already working in the Customer Service Centre. Now the scheme looks set to be extended across the Council with a further 8 apprenticeships planned for the coming year.
The success of the first batch of apprentices has seen other departments in the Council, including Building Control, Finance and IT, recognise not only the benefits for the team but also to the life changing opportunity it gives to the young people involved.
The City Council also intends to employ a graduate trainee from the National Graduate Development Programme for a two year period. The NGDP offers graduates a two-year leadership development programme in a host local council supported by the Graduate Leadership Academy, which includes skills development, mentoring and a postgraduate diploma in local government management. The scheme is designed to get talented graduates who will be the Leaders of tomorrow into Local Government.
Cllr George Beckett, Leader of the City Council said,
Offering employment opportunities for young people is vitally important, and working in Local Government gives people the chance to help improve the lives of others as well forge a career. The City Council is delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to young people, whilst at the same time improving the flexibility within the organisation and increasing the resources available.
We hope to be a good role model to encourage other organisations and small to medium sized businesses within the District to recruit and train young people.”