Council apprentices start university

Two people who joined Brighton & Hove City Council via its apprenticeship scheme have done so well that they are now enrolled on apprenticeship degree courses while continuing to work delivering services to the public.

Chris Bubloz and Edwin Davies-Arai are doing the BSc (Honours) Digital & Technology Solutions degree apprenticeship programme. This is run by the specialist business training provider BPP University.

Along with Chris and Edwin (pictured centre and right), staff member Jack English (left) has enrolled on the degree apprenticeship as apprenticeships can also be upskilling existing staff.

Through their four-year part-time degree programme each apprentice spends 20% of their working week studying, either in the workplace or off-site.

They are continuing to earn a wage while also having their tuition fees paid for them.

The chair of the council’s children, young people and skills committee, Councillor Dan Chapman, said: “Having highly trained IT experts at the cutting edge of the latest technology is crucial to helping us deliver essential services to the public.

“It’s vital that we retain skilled managers and staff like Jack, Chris and Edwin while nurturing their skills.”

Ben Lambert, BPP’s Strategic Talent and Development Consultant, said “The Apprenticeship Levy and development of Degree Apprenticeships has opened up training opportunities to existing staff that didn’t exist a year or so ago.

“Age is no longer a barrier when it comes to apprenticeships, and we’re delighted to be working with the council to deliver first class training for their staff.”