Mansfield District Council says it is continuing to utilise and invest in the future workforce by creating and developing access to further education learning within the workplace, with support from external partners.

Four council employees James Biddlestone (above with chief executive Adam Hill), Megan Nelson, David Thompson, and Bradley Lockwood have all passed their End Performance Assessments – the final hurdle for their apprenticeships – with flying colours.

Covering subjects from chartered management and team leadership to human resources and revenue and welfare benefits – the four officers had the chance to develop and build on their existing knowledge and apply it in real time during their working days.

Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “As a former teacher, alternative education provider and trainer, I have always promoted vocational education that combines theory, and practice so learners can identify the relevance and purpose of their studies.

“In this time of skill shortages, our policy has been to promote apprenticeships and the council has taken an active role in supporting the Mansfield Skills Plan by continuing to recruit new apprentices as part of our workforce development.

“We are always looking to develop our apprenticeship programme to increase the number of high-quality opportunities within the council and working with external partners, including Nottingham Trent University. We are focused on working with our service managers to identify existing and future skills gaps and ensure that priority is given to apprenticeship pathways to meet these challenges.

“By encouraging existing staff to use apprenticeships to develop their skills and career path within the council, we are helping develop career pathways.”

James, head of People and Transformation at the authority, completed his Level 6 apprenticeship in Chartered Management – and said the three-year course and support from the council had given him “a wealth of continuous professional development.”

He added: “With these courses, you have to put a lot in to get a lot out. Despite juggling full-time work, my family and the course, I am immensely proud of myself for having come to the other end successfully. With apprenticeships, you are utilising the knowledge you have learnt on paper and then applying it to real-life scenarios in the workplace.

“I was hesitant at first to embark on the journey as it was a step up to degree level – and I thought to myself ‘I can’t do academic writing’. The support from my Learning & Development team and apprenticeship provider put me at ease and supported me throughout my learning journey – so don’t let that put you off.

“You are never too old to learn – we are all on a continuous journey of learning, and it’s something that the council can be proud of. We utilise and invest in our people.”

Megan Nelson studied Human Resources for two years and said: “I started doing the apprenticeship when I left school in 2018, and now plan to go on to do my level 7 qualification.

“The council and all my colleagues supported me during the process. The apprenticeship has given me a different taste of where I want to go with my career – it felt tailored to what I was doing in my day-to-day role, and I was able to learn whilst on the job.

“There are so many myths around apprenticeships or further education that you have lots of exams, putting people off. I have been able to do a lot of practical work and then apply it to my role. Plus, as a bonus, you are getting paid to learn too!”

Mansfield District Council has various further educational and professional development opportunities available to all employees through a variety of schemes, including its Career Ambassador Programme, apprenticeships, digital skill classes – and much more.

David Thompson said his Level 3 apprenticeship in Team Leader Supervision had helped develop his personal and professional confidence.

He said: “I had been working at this level within a previous authority for several years and was made aware of the apprenticeship opportunity. The course was over two years, and I felt the balance between outside hours and on-the-job work to be manageable for me.

“The exams I found advantageous as they were practical base, so I could relate them to my day-to-day work. It was a course relevant to my role, and it broadened my skill set.

“On a professional level, the course has helped guide me more clearly to think what the best way to manage people and has helped create structure. Personally, it has helped me get the role I am in now and built my confidence.”

Bradley Lockwood works in the Revenues team and completed the Local Taxation Revenue and Welfare Benefits course.

He added: “I had initial struggles when I started the course trying to find that balance between workload and studying. I was experiencing difficulties with my mental health in August 2020, but the course and my colleagues were so supportive that I was able to have a break in my learning. I want to let others know that if they have a similar experience, help and support are available for you whilst you are doing the course.

“Once I got back into the grove following the short break, I did enjoy the experience. We had the chance to go out and about to visit others in the same field and attend conferences. It was a great opportunity to meet like-minded colleagues.

“I would advise anyone looking to do something like this that you understand the commitments from the get-go and utilise every moment you have to keep on track. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity, it allowed me to liaise with more people and engage with colleagues I wouldn’t usually contact, it was a great change of pace.

“I have learnt a lot personally and professionally, such as how to manage my time, be strict with myself and be even better in my current job role.”

The Government introduced the public sector apprenticeship target in April 2017. The guidelines set targets for public sector employers to employ an average of 2.3% of their staff as new apprentices.

The target for new apprentices includes newly employed apprentices and any existing staff who have begun an apprenticeship.