Bexley Council's commitment to expanding apprenticeship opportunities has been lauded by councillors, who have praised the initiative as a vital pathway for career development. The council is actively promoting apprenticeships to create career pathways, particularly in areas where staff recruitment is challenging.
During a meeting of the Finance & Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, councillors discussed the Council's People Strategy and Culture Transformation Programme. Councillor Nick O'Hare expressed his strong support for the increase in apprenticeships, stating, not everyone is made to go to universities, and apprenticeships are just as good.
He advocated for the extension of these opportunities across all council departments.
Lorraine Barlow, Head of HR, confirmed that apprenticeships are regularly promoted, with a focus on creating career pathways, particularly in areas where it is difficult to recruit staff. The council is also working to re-establish relationships with schools to highlight the diverse professions available within the local authority.
Councillor Cheryl Bacon noted the success of the apprenticeship drive in the social work field, contributing to a significant reduction in the reliance on agency staff. She was informed that the permanent workforce now stands at approximately 80%, a substantial improvement from previous years.
The committee also heard that apprenticeship durations vary significantly, ranging from 18 months to up to four years for degree-level equivalent qualifications. Efforts are underway to promote apprenticeships and create clear career progression routes for employees.
People strategy update was discussed during the meeting of the Finance & Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 25 March 2026. Agenda frontsheet 25th Mar 2026 19.30 Finance Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee
