Torridge District Council Officers Rise to the Challenge at Local Government Apprentice of the Year Event 2022

Torridge District Council apprentices, past and present, joined over a hundred apprentices across the nation to take part in the 'Local Government Apprentice of the Year Challenge 2022'. The virtual event took place across two days, Wednesday 25^th May and Thursday 26^th May, with the candidates tasked to complete a series of engaging challenges.

The Torridge apprentices included: Olly Kearney (Customer Services), Erin Stickley, (Housing Renewal Administrative Officer) and Beth Hobbs, a past Planning Support Apprentice.  All rose to the challenge admirably with Olly eventually playing a crucial part in securing the overall win for his team.

This exciting event provided the opportunity for apprentices to learn, network and showcase their skills, working in virtual teams and to experience the risks and challenges involved in delivering local government services. The event compromised of six challenges with the Torridge officers being divided into separate teams. Candidates had to take on the role of an apprentice at a fictitious district council and complete a series of activities. One of the actives required the teams to generate savings in a service to help the fictitious authority close a £25m funding gap. The virtual nature of the event meant it could be truly national and allowed apprentices to take part from all over the country.

Olly from Torridge's Customer Services Team admitted that although the day was busy, by the end of day two he was left feeling ecstatic with being part of the winning team. Olly and his teammates each took home a £30 Love2Shop voucher.

Councillor Ken James, Leader of Torridge District Council said:

"As a council we are extremely proud of the Torridge apprentices who took park in the event. Apprentices work in many departments across the council with a good number going on to become full time members of staff. Beth working in Planning Support and Erin in our housing team are both integral to the smooth functioning of those services and Beth has very recently made the leap to become a full-time member of staff. Congratulations once again to Olly and the apprentices from other authorities who formed the winning team!"

If you are interested in an apprenticeship with Torridge District Council, then please visit www.careers.torridge.gov.uk

Or alternatively follow the Torridge Careers page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/torridgecareers