COTSWOLD District Council has hailed its apprenticeship schemes a success after offering employment to a number of young people.

The council believes it is a good way of providing employment and training opportunities for young people to help them on the path to a long-term career.

Councillor Lynden Stowe, Leader of Cotswold District Council said their apprenticeship schemes are working really well and proving to be hugely beneficial.

"For young people they are an excellent way of gaining job skills and work experience at a time when it is difficult for many of them to gain a foothold on the career ladder," he said.

"The Council is also seeing the huge benefits that these young people are bringing to our organisation and we are very pleased that three of our former apprentices are now fully employed by us and our two current apprentices have reached the final stages of their training. We are now looking to recruit more.”

Claire Blundell and Nathan Owen joined the Council in 2012 and although they are still currently completing their apprenticeship training, they have both gained their Level 3 diplomas in Local Taxation and Benefits and have also taken up posts within the Council’s Revenues and Benefits team.

Other staff who have also gained full time employment at the Council following apprenticeships are Rob Cook who is now working in ICT, Juzer Esmailji in Audit and Jessica May in Revenues and Benefits.