West Northamptonshire Council

West Northamptonshire Council is a unitary local authority that also acts as an apprenticeship and training provider, offering accredited programmes listed on the Government Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers. Through its learning and development centre, the Council provides a wide range of professional development opportunities for both new entrants and experienced staff, including apprenticeships, accredited qualifications, in‑house tailored programmes, IT and business systems training, and leadership and management development. Apprenticeships are available to anyone aged 16 and over, including existing employees, typically lasting between one and three years depending on subject and level, and combining paid employment with structured off‑the‑job training and study time. The Council’s specialists support apprentices with expectations, study time, and induction, and can arrange functional skills courses in English and maths where needed. In addition to apprenticeships, the Council supports continuous professional development, team and individual development, and offers specific programmes for social care and social work, including support for the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment for Newly Qualified Social Workers. It also promotes traineeships and T-Levels as routes into employment and apprenticeships for 16- to 24-year-olds, and invites enquiries via its dedicated learning and development and early careers contact channels.