Opportunities for city residents at National Apprenticeship Week events

People of all ages in the City of Wolverhampton are being encouraged to find out more about apprenticeships during National Apprenticeship Week (February 5-11).

This year’s theme is ‘Skills for Life’ with the aim to help apprentices develop career pathways and secure permanent positions.

City of Wolverhampton Council’s Organisational Development and Apprenticeships team will be on the ground floor of the Civic Centre on Tuesday, February 6 and Wednesday 7, between 10am and 3pm on both days, to offer guidance and support to Wolverhampton residents looking to apply for work experience or apprenticeship opportunities.  

There are hundreds of types of apprenticeships on offer at different levels with employers in Wolverhampton.

The different levels of qualification are Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship (GCSE equivalent), Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship (A-Level equivalent), Level 4 or 5 Higher Apprenticeship (Foundation degree and above equivalent) and Level 6 or 7 Degree Apprenticeship (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree equivalent).

The council supports apprenticeship programmes and works with city partners to develop apprenticeship opportunities.

During 2023 the council recruited another 48 new apprentices across various council service areas, maintained schools and local SMEs, including roles in health and safety, occupational therapy, governance, legal, transport, public health and wellbeing, libraries and city investment.

City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Chris Burden, said: “Some of our new and previous apprentices have really excelled and have now progressed into permanent employment within their teams.  This highlights how the apprenticeship pathway really works and offers an alternative recruitment option for managers.

"National Apprenticeship Week is the ideal time to recognise the many benefits that apprenticeships bring to individual people, employers and our city’s economy.

“We are determined to give people in our city the best chances we can, whether this is through apprenticeships, helping them into employment or supporting them to improve skills and gain qualifications.

“There is also help available through our city colleges, university, employment services and through our dedicated Workbox website which offers free, one-to-one employment support and advice for local people.”

Aman Sandhu, aged 19, L3 business support apprentice working within the council’s children’s services team, said: “Originally, I wasn’t sure whether to go to university or do an apprenticeship but I thought you get so much off-the-job training with an apprenticeship, you get paid while you’re working and you learn so much – I thought it would be a great opportunity and I knew I would progress into a permanent job.

“By completing an apprenticeship you definitely gain a lot of benefits including long-term career progression. You’ve been invested in, your employer looks after you and you have so many opportunities to look forward to.”

For details of available apprenticeships, and other work and training opportunities in the city, visit www.wolvesworkbox.com, call Wolves At Work on 01902 554400 or email wolvesatwork@wolverhampton.gov.uk.