Bertie Baxter, 16, will start as a trainee technician in Highways and undertake an apprenticeship in Civil Engineering, having completed his GCSEs in May,
Bertie has done a year's work experience with the Transport and Environment department already, as part of a Young Apprenticeship in Construction. He has been working with the highways team once a week, gaining experience in all aspects of the job and has proved to be a real success.
Bertie said: "The work experience placement gave me the skills that I wouldn't have picked up from anywhere else, and a real understanding of the world of work. Before my work experience placement, I didn't know that this kind of work existed and would never have considered there was a job that I would be interested in at the County Council. I learned about things that I was able to use in my interview. I am really excited about my apprenticeship. It will give me the opportunity to learn and train on the job and will lead to a career."
Simon Marchant, the manager of the Construction and Planned Maintenance team within Highways, said: "Bertie has been really good for the team – a breath of fresh air. The team are confident he has gained the experience through his work placement that he needs for his new role and will be a reliable team member – just the right person for the job. He is a good example to other young people, that hard work and enthusiasm will open doors."
With more and more employers demanding on-the-job experience, the County Council's new apprenticeship scheme will give young people the chance to gain experience whilst learning all the skills necessary to become a valuable member of the workforce. Teams across the Council will be looking to recruit apprentices in business administration, customer service, child care, youth work, ICT and accounting.
For more information about apprenticeships, visit the Apprenticeships website.
Reference:
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