City Council welcomes 15 new apprentices

The 2024 group is made up of 15 apprentices, who have been officially welcomed to their new roles at an event in the Mayor's Parlour at City Hall.

Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council, Cllr Kelly Chequer, welcomed the apprentices at the induction event. She said: "Apprentices are a key part of the country's workforce and future, and a key part of the workforce here at Sunderland City Council. We're committed to continued investment in apprenticeships and recognise the value and contribution that apprentices can bring to the council.

"This is an exciting time for the city with so much going on, and the new apprentices joining us in 2024 will all play a role in helping us to achieve our ambitious City Plan."

The apprenticeships are being carried out in partnership with a variety of different colleges and training providers and can last anywhere between 16 months and three years.

The new recruits will be undertaking apprenticeships in vehicle fitting, paviour, port services, horticulture, ICT, social work, occupational therapy, and public health.

Sunderland City Council's Assistant Director of People Management, Gillian Hunter, also welcomed the new recruits to their roles. She said: "These apprentices will all play an important role in our city's development at a time when there is so much going on in Sunderland. This is an exciting time to be joining the council and I'd like to wish all our new starters the very best with their apprenticeships and hope that this will be the first step in successful careers."