Well trained: FDC staff with their apprenticeship certificates.

FORTY staff members at Fenland District Council have successfully completed apprenticeship programmes - and another 60 are working their way through them.

Presenting certificates to some of the successful individuals, Councillor Alan Melton, FDC’s Leader, praised their achievements and said the numbers reflected the council’s continuing commitment to training and development.

“Enabling staff to develop their skills is not just important for them as individuals; it also helps them to provide better service to the public and that’s what we are here for,” he said.

“That’s why we continue to remain firmly committed to doing all we can to protect our training budget even in very difficult economic times.”

His comments were echoed by Paul Medd, the council’s Chief Executive.

Jody Cox is pictured with Cllrs Alan Melton and Chris Seaton and Paul Medd.

In the five years since the council has been working with F1 Training Services, 500 staff have enrolled on various training programmes.

Over the past two years the focus of the training has shifted from offering standalone NVQs to broader apprenticeship and advanced apprenticeship programmes, including those in customer service, business administration, team leading and management.

So far 100 staff have embarked on those apprenticeships. Between them, the 40 people who have just completed them have amassed more than 150 qualifications.