Somerset town clerk celebrates successful apprenticeship

Katie Armstrong has started as an apprenticeship as a clerk in Castle Cary

The number of apprenticeships in Somerset has increased, bucking a national trend.

New trainees starting apprenticeships in England fell in the academic year 2022-23, according to the latest government figures.

The Somerset Skills & Learning College (SS&L), which offers apprenticeships with more than 150 firms, has seen numbers go up by a third.

"It's been brilliant for me," said Katie Armstrong, a trainee town clerk.

Katie Armstrong has been offered a permanent role as deputy town clerk following her apprenticeship

Ms Armstrong, 39, from Charlton Adam, is one of those who decided to change direction as a mature student after several years caring for parents and bringing up children.

She started a part-time apprenticeship with Castle Cary Town Council two years ago.

"I was slightly older in age but it's been brilliant because I'll have a qualification at the end of it and I've earnt money through completing it.

"Everyone was very welcoming and never made a point that I was older," she said.

Speaking to BBC Somerset Dave West, head of Employer Engagement at SS&L, said apprenticeships are growing in popularity.

"More and more people are seeing it as a sensible alternative to other forms of education," he said.

SS&L currently has 243 apprentices on-the-job across 153 employers in Somerset.

"Last week I enrolled someone who was 16, so she'd recently finished school, and the week before that I'd enrolled someone who was 60 and just about to start her apprenticeship," he added.

Katie Armstrong (c) organised the Cary in Bloom entry for South West in Bloom, which won a gold medal

According to SS&L, 70% of apprentices in Somerset are offered work with their employer when they complete their training.

Ms Armstrong has been offered the role of Deputy Clerk at Castle Cary Town Council, which starts when she finishes her apprenticeship later this month.

"To finish with a paid position is a dream come true," she said.

National Apprenticeship Week runs until 11 February.