Young people are taking their first steps into employment after securing apprenticeship opportunities at Wolverhampton City Council.

The authority will welcome 15 apprentices aged 16 to 18 in a variety of roles on Monday (3 March), which also marks the beginning of National Apprenticeship Week.

And, as part of the week, the council and a host of other employers including Jaguar Land Rover and HS Marston will be at Molineux on Tuesday 4 March from 2pm to 7.30pm, for The Real Apprentice roadshow.

The event will give young people the opportunity to find out more about trades and professions and get advice on potential careers.

The council's latest cohort will see apprentices taken on in a variety of roles including accountancy, audit, horticulture, catering, events and marketing, vehicle maintenance, administration, customer service, play work, IT, fitness instruction, market management, electricians and general maintenance.

This is part of a wider programme that saw the council invest more than £800,000 in 2012 to create 105 apprenticeship opportunities over 3 and a half years.

Councillor Phil Page, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Learning, said: "In the current climate, it is vital that all employers in the city do what they can to help young people as much as they can.

"It is therefore very encouraging to see these ompanies at the Real Apprentice event.

"We made a commitment to help apprentices gain valuable new skills as they make the transition from education to the workplace.

"And as a result, our scheme has paid dividends for us and we have benefited from the huge contributions they have made in their time with us.

"The apprentices we have had so far have been dedicated and hardworking - providing a first class service for the benefit of the whole city and I am certain that this group of young people will be no different."

"We look forward to welcoming another new group in September."

  • released: Friday 28 February, 2014