For the first time Leeds City Council has earned a place as the best local authority on the Department for Education’s index of the country’s best employers for providing apprenticeship opportunities.
More than 632 council employees are currently on apprenticeships from level 2 to level 7. In the 12 months to 31 March 2024, 316 started apprenticeships on pathways ranging from social care, child care, housing, digital and project management to building trades, civil engineering and more.
Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for resources, said: “This is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality apprenticeship opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds in Leeds.
“Apprenticeships are a vital way of developing the skills and talents of our workforce, as well as supporting the local economy and combatting the skills shortages in some sectors. We are proud of our apprentices and the valuable contribution they make to our council and our city.”
Leeds City Council is a living wage employer. All employees, including apprentices of any age, are paid a salary that matches or exceeds the Living Wage Foundation minimum rate.
The DfE’s top 100 apprenticeship employers list was compiled by analysing data from apprenticeship employers across different industries and employment sectors. Over 1,000 employers entered by submitting data from the 12 months to 31 March 2024 on their apprenticeship starts, successful apprenticeship completions and the diversity of their apprentice cohort.
