THIS week is National Apprenticeship Week and the T&A is shining a light on those who’ve benefited from an apprenticeship. Meet today’s apprentices - Anthony Holdsworth and Jay Ambrose from Skills for Work, Bradford Council.

Name: Jevannie Ambrose. Age: 24. Apprentice Level: Level 3. Company you work for: Bradford Council.

Tell us about yourself: I’m a Leeds Beckett University Computing graduate. After completing my degree, I joined Bradford Council on a Kickstart Programme and secured an apprenticeship in the Work Experience team. I chose Business Administration because it could provide me with transferable skills and useful experiences.

What’s your working week? It’s split into four days supporting my team in arranging work placements, and one day focussing on my apprenticeship learning.

Why did you opt for an apprenticeship rather than A Levels or a B Tech? It was a good opportunity to get into work and start earning whilst gaining a useful qualification.

What’s most rewarding about your apprenticeship? Skills and experiences as an administrator in a busy team. What I’ve learned will be beneficial going forward.

For anyone thinking about an apprenticeship what advice would you give? Apprenticeships are a great opportunity to work in a field you have an interest in whilst furthering your education.

What are your future career plans? Whilst on my apprenticeship I’ve secured a job as an administrator, my qualification will aid me whilst working and open more opportunities.

* Name: Anthony Holdsworth. Apprentice Level: Level 3. Company you work for: Bradford Council. What’s your apprenticeship? Public service operational delivery officer.

Why an apprenticeship? To improve my education and skills. I’m not getting any younger and wished to move up the ladder. At school I didn’t gain many qualifications and when the opportunity arose, as a neighbourhood warden, to take an apprenticeship I jumped at it. Also, I had chance to gain a qualification in English.

What’s been most rewarding? Winning Apprentice of the Year at Bradford Council Staff Awards. I never thought this would be possible! It was great to see all the hard work pay off, gaining a qualification in English then Level 3 Operational delivery Officer, gaining a distinction.

What’s your advice on apprenticeships? I’d definitely recommend it. It improves your education, skills and qualifications, making you more employable. It’s opened up opportunities to move on in my career. I’ve taken a development role as an Environmental Enforcement officer and now I have a secondment as a Supervisor for the Environmental Task force. None of this would have happened without my apprenticeship.