National Apprenticeship Week runs from Monday 9 February to Sunday 15 February and is an opportunity to celebrate and highlight the positive impact apprenticeships make.
Portsmouth City Council has a long‑established apprenticeship offer and works closely with local businesses to create positive outcomes for communities across the city and wider region.
This includes the council’s partnership with Solent Business & Skills Solutions through the Transfer to Transform scheme, which they have supported since 2021. The initiative enables large organisations, such as the council, to directly increase apprenticeship opportunities by transferring levy funds to local employers.
During the week, the council’s Stronger Futures team will also be showcasing the different pathways into children’s social care. These include the social work degree apprenticeship, as well as careers in fostering and residential care.
From Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 February the Shaping Portsmouth Apprenticeship Bus will be visiting Portsmouth secondary schools. Portsmouth City Council apprentices will be onboard to help share information about apprenticeships to year 10 students across the city.
The roadshow aims to demonstrate how many apprenticeship opportunities are available to young people beyond secondary and further education.
Cllr Chris Attwell, Cabinet Member for Central Services said:
“National Apprenticeship Week is an excellent opportunity to celebrate apprentices and promote the benefits of apprenticeships to residents, parents, carers and employers.
“Recently, I have been fortunate to visit a wide and diverse range of apprenticeship opportunities across our community. I have spent time visiting council apprentices in care homes, schools and IT, and have enjoyed seeing the positive impact they are having on their teams.
“I have also met with partner companies and local employers who told me their businesses benefit from increased productivity, filling skills gaps within their industries and developing ongoing opportunities.
“We are committed to growing and supporting apprenticeships throughout the city, as a powerful localised engine for economic growth, workforce development and social inclusion.
“Many congratulations to all of Portsmouth’s apprentices!”
There are lots of different activities and events happening across the city, where students, parents, guardians and employers can explore apprenticeships.
As well as events, we are sharing case studies from employers and their apprentices across the city on our website and social media.
Anyone over the age of 16 can complete an apprenticeship, you can look for opportunities on the government’s Find an Apprenticeship website and throughout the year on the councils careers page.