A group of Wandsworth apprentices and their employers enjoyed afternoon tea in the Mayor’s Parlour this week to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week.
The annual event celebrates apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
This year’s group invited to meet Mayor of Wandsworth Cllr Piers McCausland included people undertaking apprenticeships in business administration, health and social care and management.
They included Taylor Backer, who secured an apprenticeship with the Wandsworth Council rent collection team. She said: “I have really found this apprenticeship to be so beneficial. It has helped me gain an understanding of the business environment and boosted my confidence. I have recently just finished my level 2 in business administration and am now looking forward to progressing onto the next level with my new employer.”
Dante John-Baptise is an apprentice in the adult social services department. Senior administrator Heather Johnson said: “Dante is an amazing apprentice. He is keen, takes instructions well and is willing to learn. Dante has integrated well into our team and we enjoy working with him.”
The Mayor said: “It was great to meet this year’s apprentices. I am really pleased that the council has placed such importance on the apprenticeship programme and I look forward to seeing it grow.”
The council’s skills and employment spokesman Cllr Rory O’Broin said: “We value apprenticeships very highly here in Wandsworth as a practical and rewarding way into work for people of all backgrounds and ages. Contact our Lifelong Learning team for a chat about whether apprenticeships might be for you.
We also want to hear from businesses who want to know more about the benefits of offering apprenticeships. The business sector is booming in Wandsworth and we want to make sure it’s our young people who benefit. You’ll be working with highly-motivated young people who will quickly develop into skilled members of staff and we’ll work closely with you throughout the process.”
If you are an employer interested in offering an apprenticeship to a young person, or a young person looking for an apprenticeship opportunity, visit www.wandsworthlifelonglearning.org.uk or contact 020 8871 8491/07966 218591.
