1. “You’re hired !” The Apprentices’ role in Lincolnshire County Council’s Trainee strategy Jan Mehmet Corporate Learning and Development Manager

2. Our Challenge  Attract and retain workforce needed to transform services  Ensure a more diverse and representative workforce  Ensure we have the skills, knowledge, and abilities required for the future  Importance of trainees : young people, women returners, older people, career changers ….

3. Part of a wider strategy for trainees  Research report ‘Invest to Improve ‘  Focus on graduates, apprentices  Considered other schemes in LCC  Made recommendations

4. What is an Apprenticeship ? “a structured programme of preparation, sponsored by an employer, juxtaposing part- time education with on –the- job training and work experience, leading to a recognised vocational qualification “ Ryan and Unwin

5. LCC’s apprentices  21 apprentices at time of research –2007  Apprentices in all four Directorates and Chief Executive’s department  Two thirds female one third male  Interviewees chosen at random from across the Council’s Services  NVQ and key skills provided by Mouchel Options

6. What some of our apprentices told us  Accessed via the Echo,Connexions, work experience, Mouchel Options,  Some wanted an apprenticeship,others wanted a job  Chance to undertake a qualification  Perception this could lead to more opportunities

7. What some of our apprentices told us  Some did not know much about local government –attracted by the job  Others chose it as wanted to make a difference in the community  Plenty of jobs and a pension scheme  Attracted by the scheme –Care Leavers’ Apprenticeship Scheme (CLAS)

8. What some of our apprentices told us  All undertaking NVQ2 business admin with Mouchel Options  Received induction, IT, Health and Safety training from LCC  Only one person had been offered future training : appraisee, diversity,equipment

9. What apprentices feel they can offer  IT skills  Willingness to learn, flexibility,enthusiasm, fresh ideas  Raising profile of young people in a positive way  Providing help and support to other staff  Cheap labour

10. Renumeration  Ranges from £80 to £250 per week  Work at Sainsbury’s at weekend to bump up salary  Not cheap labour, inexperienced so expect lower wage  Work as hard as others : paid less

11. Key motivators/likes  Relationship with manager  Relationship with colleagues, location, flexible work dress, training  Management support, holidays  Career prospects within LCC

12. Drawbacks  Title ‘modern apprentice’-lower status at work  Lack of qualifications -need a degree in some jobs ?  Low salary –in some cases  Lack of social life with colleagues outside work

13. Comments on individuals’ experience  Didn’t expect job to be so varied  Apprenticeships are a brilliant opportunity, had qualifications but no experience, helps you get into a good organisation like LCC, gain experience-enables you to progress  I would recommend CLAS as it gives opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise have had  Chance to earn and learn

14. Overall  Most rated the experience as better than expected and all wanted to continue in local government  Apprenticeships are seen as an opportunity to get on the career ladder  Many of our apprentices obtain permanent posts in LCC  Care Leavers’ Apprenticeship Scheme (CLAS) is highly recommended by participants

15. Invest to Improve report : key recommendations  Establish a corporate trainee resource  Explore potential in partnership working and Shared Services  Increase number of apprenticeships  Continue work for the Positive About Young People standard

16. Recommendations : link to workforce planning and development  Skills pathways  Succession planning  Talent development and enablement  Career development  Mentoring  Promoting equality and diversity

17. You’re hired !  Apprenticeships are a vital part of our trainee strategy to ensure Lincolnshire County Council LEADS and PERFORMS to provide quality services to the people of Lincolnshire  Today’s apprentice can be the Chief Exec of the future !