Cash Boost For Proposed Apprentice Scheme

Newport City Council’s cabinet today approved an extra £30,000 for a proposed apprentice scheme for young people. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Later this month, Councillor Mark Whitcutt, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, is to be asked to approve the scheme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It is proposed to take on 10 apprentices across council departments. They will spend a year working and studying to gain a qualification, ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cabinet has agreed that the £30,000 will be added to the reserve already set aside of £50,000 for the scheme. It has been found from an underspend in the 2015/16 budget and can be used by the departments who take on the trainees towards their salary costs. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Council leader Councillor Debbie Wilcox said: “I am delighted that we are considering adopting an apprentice scheme for the local authority which will offer training opportunities to 10 young people. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It will give them vital experience which will enhance their future job prospects whether with the council or with another employer. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This extra funding will help departments taking on the apprentices manage the financial pressure but I’m sure they will also reap the benefits of taking on young people who are keen to join the council.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​