DORSET County Council is inviting people to consider an apprenticeship.

Marking National Apprenticeship Week this week, the authority is holding an information evening at Blandford Adult Learning Centre today (MAR 6), from 4.30-7.30pm.

The council employs apprentices in a variety of roles, including civil engineering, conservation, construction, heavy vehicle service and maintenance, highway maintenance and transport planning.

Deborah Croney, cabinet member for education, learning and skills, said: "As a council, we are a large employer, and want to highlight the benefits of apprenticeships to both residents and employers.

"We currently have 58 apprentices working across a variety of sectors, and we are looking to recruit more.

"Not only do apprenticeships offer a clear career path to young people, but they also give staff and adults returning to work an opportunity to change career, or progress with additional training in their chosen field.

"The Government has reformed the way apprenticeships are delivered and funded in England. As part of the reforms, apprenticeships are more rigorous, better structured, independently assessed and more clearly aligned to the needs of employers.

"And most importantly, apprenticeships offer high quality opportunities for people to develop their talents and progress their careers."

Russell Goff started as an apprentice with the council nine years ago, and is now a senior ranger with Dorset County Council. He said: "Growing up I always had a passion for the countryside and a friend knowing this pointed out an advert in the local paper for a countryside apprentice.

"I have so many great memories. The apprenticeship brought me away from doing a job to earn money to doing a job I had a passion for. From the first day, I knew I had made the right decision and the mixture of practical and theoretical learning suited me perfectly.

"We have 18 apprentices working with us here and every year we recruit more. They are highly valued, and many of them progress into more senior posts once their training is complete."

The apprenticeship team at the council will be live on Twitter to answer any questions today at https://twitter.com/DorsetCC

To find out more visit dorsetforyou.com/apprenticeships