Plymouth City Council

Plymouth City Council delivers apprenticeships as both an employer and a training provider, using apprenticeships to develop talent across its services and to address local skills needs. The Council offers apprenticeship opportunities in a range of departments, typically starting at Level 2 and in some cases progressing to Levels 3 and 4, enabling apprentices to earn while they learn and gain nationally recognised qualifications in a real job with structured training and support in a professional environment. Entry requirements normally include being over 16 and holding GCSEs in English and maths at grades 4–9 (A*–C), or equivalent. In addition to its internal apprenticeship roles, the Council’s adult learning service, On Course South West, now offers apprenticeships tailored to the needs of key sectors in the city, with an initial focus on early years, youth work, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), customer service and business administration, and an emphasis on supported apprenticeships and supported internships for 16–25 year‑olds with SEND who have an education, health and care plan. Wider skills and employability support is provided through initiatives such as Skills Launchpad Plymouth, Careers advice services, Building Plymouth and adult education and evening classes via On Course South West, which together aim to align local training with employer needs and improve workforce skills across Plymouth.