The City of Lincoln Council had its Apprenticeship programme success recognised and was named ‘Large Employer of the Year’ at the national Apprenticeship Awards on 15 July at a ceremony in London.

Andrew Taylor, Chief Executive of the City of Lincoln Council, said: “I am absolutely over the moon to learn that our apprenticeship scheme has been recognised in this way. I started my own career as an apprentice, so I know how valuable an experience it is. I also know how much work and dedication the scheme has, from officers here to run the scheme and mentor the apprentices, to our learning provider Lincoln College and the apprentices themselves. A big well done to all involved!”

The ceremony was a double celebration; as well as the Council being awarded the Large Employer of the Year prize, one of its most promising former apprentices, Joel Dowse, who now works in the Anti-Social Behaviour Team, was highly commended in the Apprentice of the Year category.

Pictured: Nigel Snook, CEO of EDI and Apprentice Joel Dowse

Joel Dowse, who undertook his technical certificate in Business Administration at Lincoln College, was also at the awards, having won the regional Apprentice of the Year award in June. He was delighted to have been recognised nationally and received a highly commended award in his category. He said: “The apprenticeship scheme has given me so much opportunity and really made me much more positive about my career and has helped me get a permanent job in the Anti-Social Behaviour Team that I love.”

Jane Newman, City of Lincoln Council’s Work-Based Learning Officer, said: “It’s amazing to be selected from all the apprentice employers nationwide to be a winner at the national Apprenticeship Awards. The awards reward and recognise apprentices and the businesses that employ them. I’m delighted to be representing all of the amazing apprentices across the country, who help to make employers more productive, and efficient.

“Sixty per cent of all our past apprentices still work for our organisation, which is one of the reasons we’ve embedded apprenticeships into our working culture – apprentices are our lifeblood.”