MORE than 100 new apprentices have now been taken on by Cheshire East Council so far in 2018-19 – smashing a target set by the Government.

The Department for Education now requires councils and their arms-length companies to deliver 96 new apprenticeships each year.

At Thursday’s staffing committee meeting, Sara Barker, head of strategic HR at CEC, told members that more than 100 apprentices have now been taken on at the council – with a total of 105 expected by the end of March.

“It is really great work that has been taking place there,” she said.

“We now have apprenticeships across people, place and corporate [departments], and we are doing lots of work and having lots of innovative ideas as new apprentices come on board.

“The target for the council has now been well exceeded and we have now got in excess of 100 staff on apprenticeships across the organisation.

“We’ve got apprentices in legal, finance, HR, at Tatton [Park], in people’s services – so we have got a wide range of apprenticeships across the council.”

However, the Government also requires 84 apprenticeships to be set up by maintained schools in each borough per year – but schools in Cheshire East are struggling to hit that target.

A report presented at the meeting said the issue is being replicated across the country, but that CEC is continuing ‘intervention work’ in a drive to help schools recruit more apprentices.

“Where we are having some real difficulties is in schools and that is largely because of the small numbers of staff in schools,” Mrs Barker added.

“But we work closely with headteachers, the education team and very much promote through the schools forum the opportunities that can be delivered.”

For more information about the council’s apprenticeship scheme, visit cheshireeast.gov.uk/jobs_and_careers/apprenticeships_a-team/apprenticeships.aspx