Essex County Council

Essex County Council is the local authority for the county of Essex and provides a broad range of services that support education, skills and workforce development. Through its ‘Schools and learning’ and ‘Jobs and apprenticeships’ service areas, the council signposts residents and employers to apprenticeship opportunities and post‑16 options, including adult learning and employment support. The council promotes apprenticeships as a route into work for young people and adults, integrating guidance on how to search and apply for vacancies via the national “Find an apprenticeship” service. In addition, Essex County Council oversees funded early education entitlements for eligible children, working with nurseries, pre‑schools, schools and childminders to deliver 15 or 30 hours of funded early years provision and setting funding conditions and rates for providers. The council also works with education and childcare settings through its early years and schools support services, and encourages suppliers and partners to create apprenticeships and upskilling opportunities as part of its social value framework. Overall, Essex County Council acts as a strategic coordinator and enabler of apprenticeship and training pathways across the county, rather than as a specialist independent training provider.