North Warwickshire Borough Council
Serving a population of 62,000 and an area of 110 square miles, North Warwickshire Borough Council’s refuse and recycling operation requires a sharp focus on value and efficiency.
That is why they adopt a flexible and creative approach to learning and development which has recently seen assistant manager Paul Sharratt become an apprentice at the age of 50.
It’s some distance removed from the time-honoured notion of learning a trade from an experienced craftsman – Paul has been in his present role for over seven years and has several years’ experience in local authority waste management.
His Adult Apprenticeship, which he hopes to complete in around a year, is work-based and supported by training provider CWT Chamber as he works towards an NVQ Level 3 in Management – equivalent to at least two A Levels.
Paul’s boss, refuse and recycling manager Bernard Woodhall, says an Apprenticeship framework offers a tailor-made solution for people at all stages of their careers to gain not only new skills and insights – but also accreditation of existing ones.
He says: “There are so many facets of managing a department - from interacting with colleagues to health and safety, financial risk assessment and control of budgets – that it’s important to take time out of your day-to-day environment to reflect on the best way to approach your responsibilities.
“A work-based training programme like an Apprenticeship, where you work in partnership with an experienced training provider and incorporate reasonable time for study and compiling assessment evidence, is an excellent way to accommodate that.
“I actively encouraged Paul to go for these additional qualifications because they represent formal accreditation of the skills and experience he has and, as such, will help him advance to a level that allows him to fulfil his potential and be rewarded appropriately.
“I think the key to success is in taking responsibility as an individual for your own development and success – having understood the content of your training, how you interpret it and use your new skills and insights in any given situation to add value to a business.”
“I left school at the age of 15 without any qualifications,” remembers Paul.
“We were one of the last generations to be allowed to leave at that age – attitudes to learning were different and, for many families, the sooner youngsters could start work the better.
“I got a job at a fitter’s shop, repairing farming machinery, and that was the first of several jobs I’ve had since. I’ve had some training in risk assessment, which is an important aspect of my current role, but this is the first time I’ve been involved in any kind of longer-term framework, working with an external training provider.
“Despite being 51 now, I’m looking to open up different options to advance within the authority and getting new skills and qualifications is an important part of achieving those goals.”
Last Updated: 23/05/2012