WAVERLEY Borough Council has celebrated the achievements of the young people who have completed an apprenticeship with the authority.

National Apprenticeship Week 2016 began on Monday with the theme ‘An apprenticeship can take you anywhere’.

As part of the event, Waverley highlighted the achievements of its 27 past apprentices who have earned while they’ve learned, researching where they are now and celebrating the work done by its four current apprentices.

Nineteen of Waverley’s past apprentices went straight on to full-time employment once their apprenticeship was completed, either with the council or with another establishment and eight of the council’s past apprentices still work at Waverley.

Carys Potter, who started her apprenticeship at Waverley in 2010 in leisure services and who now works in the authority’s employee services team, said: “During my apprenticeship I gained invaluable experience and I got an NVQ Level 3 in customer services.

“It was a brilliant opportunity which allowed me to gain a lot of knowledge and to grow as a person and realise my potential in the work place. I can safely say I wouldn’t be where I am today without my apprenticeship at the council.”

Waverley’s apprenticeship scheme, for 16 to 24 year olds, includes a two-year placement with the council and an NVQ in business administration or customer service.

Apprentices are helped by Waverley Training Services to gain their NVQ qualification and are supported by their line manager. They also get paired with a buddy to support them and benefit from the advice and support of existing apprentices.

Julia Potts, portfolio holder for Waverley Training Services, said: “Each apprentice who goes through Waverley’s doors gains invaluable skills and crucial, practical work experience that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their careers.

“Waverley Training Services has 30 years’ experience of delivering fully funded work based qualifications and apprenticeships, which each of our apprentices will benefit from.

“The council is committed to supporting young people’s development and providing opportunities for them to flourish in the workplace.”

For more details about Waverley’s apprenticeship scheme, visit waverley.gov.uk or e-mail Amy McNulty at [email protected].