National Apprenticeship Week 2023

As it’s National Apprenticeship Week, we wanted to highlight the success of the scheme and proudly tell you about the team members who have participated in the apprenticeship scheme at Local Partnerships.

The apprenticeship scheme at Local Partnerships is in it’s forth year with one of our first year apprentices, Millie, now a full time finance assistant. This  followed her successful completion of the government’s scheme in December 2020. Millie is currently studying for further accountancy qualifications.

Today, we’re hearing from one of our two current ‘Business Administration Apprentices’, Delphine Christou‑Hill​. Delphine joined Local Partnerships in October 2022 and is a member of the Programme Support Team, along with Chinwe Oyo, who are well on their way to achieving Business Administration Level 3 qualifications.”

I was drawn to Local Partnerships as it sits right at the heart of what is important to me. The organisation recognises climate as an emergency, creates places with excellent infrastructure that can adapt to the effects of a changing climate and improves the health and well-being of communities.

“I applied to be a Local Partnership Business Administration Apprentice and have been in the role for almost six months. I chose to be an apprentice as I knew I wanted to be part of the corporate workplace following the completion of my A-level studies and join the team of an employer who would give me a wide scope to look around at different perspectives, business principles and see how teams and projects operate from the inside. The apprenticeship is going well; people at Local Partnerships take me through work tasks step-by-step, give me constructive feedback, model how the best ways are but also encourage me to look at how I could help them solve problems or bring ideas to colleagues.   

I felt applying for an apprenticeship programme would help me navigate new skills, as it offers a learning and business experience that is guided by professionals. It also inspires me because I want to work in a social policy role and improve lives, especially seeing how public policy can be a force for leading big issues like sustainability and how projects can encourage future change to support environmental concerns.   

I was drawn to Local Partnerships as it sits right at the heart of what is important to me. The organisation recognises climate as an emergency, creates places with excellent infrastructure that can adapt to the effects of a changing climate and improves the health and well-being of communities. They fundamentally help local authorities through direct relationships with both local councils and government officials. This is something I wanted to be a part of; I want to make change and I’m passionate about improving people’s lives. Out of this ambition, I put my application in to the organisation.  More and more I see the power of being an apprentice at Local Partnerships  Learning, working (and earning!) is such a fast-track to knowing about the principles of business. I get to support teams with, for example, contracts, finance, and I get to see the working of project management. At Local Partnerships, I feel valued as I am seen as someone with a distinct clear role, but I also get amazing support from colleagues, managers and leaders who really involve me in work and take time to explain business rationales and coach me. That is why being a Business Support Apprentice is different –– you get more independence over time, but also a collective recognition that you are there to learn and you receive much encouragement. 

I knew that if I was to achieve the position, I would learn agile skills in developing, implementing, and maintaining administrative services alongside an opportunity for self-expression, increased independence, and an exposure to the corporate workplace. I particularly like the role as it means I can build a portfolio of projects and receive mentorship whilst working closely with experts and that was something I wouldn’t have in a ‘‘normal‘’ job.  I also recognise that participating in the mission of Local Partnerships strengthens my skills, dispositions and self-knowledge that is critical for my future career path. Working alongside experienced individuals proves to be a challenging yet exciting endeavour for myself and has given me an inlet viewing what my future can be about.  

This National Apprenticeship Week the theme is ‘Skills for Life’. I have learnt key administrative skills, communication skills and have gained experience working in a team. From the first week I started acquiring new skills, for me, a real-life skill is the confidence to join a professional team and speak to internal colleagues and external partners; skills in collaborating and supporting others and valuable administrative skills that will shape my working life and add value to the workplace and people at Local Partnerships. 

Local Partnerships recruit only the highest calibre people. If you are interested in working with us, either as a member of staff or as an associate, please view our vacancies page. We are currently seeking two Project Managers and a Project Director.