Public Sector Apprenticeships: A Platform for Progression

By Mollie Brown - 24 May 2022

A career in public sector offers a variety of job roles from working in local government, teaching, health and social care and uniformed services.

Those working on the frontline of public services perform a vital role in society, often in the most challenging but rewarding situations.

Choosing an apprenticeship can help kickstart a career in this sector, whilst providing a platform to support career and skills development.

Apprenticeships are open to everyone

Chesterfield Borough Council employs more than 30 apprentices a range of different service areas. The organisation has been named in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers, which ranks the very best of England’s apprenticeship employers.

If you’re considering an apprenticeship, watch this short video to hear from current apprentices at Chesterfield Borough Council talking about how the opportunity has benefitted them.

Search the current apprenticeship opportunities available at Chesterfield Borough Council by clicking here.

Apprenticeships provide opportunity to learn on the job

Chesterfield College provide over 50 different apprenticeships, individually designed to support yours and your employer’s needs and career goals.

Georgie McGregor completed her Level 3 Performing Arts and Level 2 and 3 Beauty Therapy courses at Chesterfield College, before discovering a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship opportunity at the college.

With the support of her family, she chose an apprenticeship to gain more confidence, knowledge, and experience for the job role she wants.

She commented: “I am very lucky to have the support I do from my family. I have changed my mind many times about what I want to do for a career and my family has supported me every time.

“I have always enjoyed learning. I know that by doing my apprenticeship I am gaining the experience and knowledge I need to work in the area I want to. It makes the learning much easier. I am part of a team that is so welcoming. I consider it a big family and I like that most about my apprenticeship.”

Georgie aims to continue to progress in her apprenticeship and eventually wants to move into full time employment with her current employer.

Find out more about apprenticeships at Chesterfield College by clicking here.

Apprenticeships support career development

Derbyshire County Council is one of the biggest employers in Derbyshire and offers apprenticeships across a range of vocational areas including ICT, catering, civil engineering, adult care, trading standards, business administration, road working, learning and development, outdoor education, surveying, landscape and more.

Meet Stuart Greensmith White, a Level 7 Senior Leader apprentice at Derbyshire County Council working in the Derbyshire Adult Education Service team.

Stuart started his apprenticeship journey with a Level 2 apprenticeship in Business Administration; the skills, knowledge and experience gained has enabled him to progress, culminating in a level 7 apprenticeship. Now he is teaching apprentices himself and sits on the Apprentice Panel of the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education, which is helping shape apprenticeships for the next generation.

Since entering the workplace and completing his initial apprenticeship, he has moved between roles and industries and been promoted numerous times. He explained: “I have worked in manufacturing, the NHS, within an academy trust and now with a local authority council.

“Apprenticeships are challenging, but hugely fulfilling courses that build the skills employers and apprentices need to really succeed in the workplace.”

Despite having many years work experience and an established career, Stuart is now using a Level 7 apprenticeship to further develop his career.

He explained: “My current apprenticeship was an advertised CPD opportunity while remaining in my then-current role as School Business Manager. The chance to gain a recognised qualification as an investment in my future was too good to miss.

“I am now three-quarters of the way through my apprenticeship and have recently secured another promotion – I am now teaching apprentices of my own!”

You can search for current apprenticeship vacancies on the Derbyshire County Council website by clicking here.

Overall, a career in public sector provides a diverse range of job roles that cater for every skill set and apprenticeships can help to provide an excellent platform to progress within the sector

You can find out more about this sector on the My Future careers platform

Visit the Apprentice Town website for more information on apprenticeships