A COUNCIL has won an award for its helping young people develop their careers through an apprenticeship scheme.

North Yorkshire County Council's Real Start programme offers apprentices £105 a week for the first six months and the chance to develop transferable skills, including information technology, customer service, team working and problem solving.

Apprentices that demonstrate exceptional performance may be able to move to the full salary for the post during the apprenticeship.

The authority has been named Regional Macro Employer of the Year, and has been listed in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers nationwide.

Councillor Carl Les, executive member for human resources, said: “Our scheme has been highly praised, and we are extremely proud of our achievements in helping to equip young people with the skills they need to prosper in their lives, just as we are proud of our apprentices themselves."

One of those to benefit from the scheme is Abby Terry, an apprentice ICT assistant helping schools to build and manage their websites, at the council’s Highfield House office, in Ripon.

She said: “A big part of what I’m involved in is helping schools to build and manage their websites.

"It’s really interesting, and at the same time I’m building up lots of experience and learning new skills."