Barnsley Council celebrates staff at Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony

Last week, we were proud to host our third Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony, celebrating the outstanding achievements of 44 employees who have completed their apprenticeships since January 2025. 

The event was also a fantastic way to round off National Apprenticeship Week, shining a spotlight on the values, benefits, and opportunities apprenticeships bring. Our latest apprentice graduates were invited to the town hall for a special ceremony in the council chambers, where their hard work and commitment were recognised as they received their certificates. Each graduate was personally congratulated by Sarah Norman, Chief Executive of Barnsley Council, the Mayor of Barnsley, Cllr David Leech, and Cllr Caroline Makinson, Deputy Leader of Barnsley Council. 

Our apprentices completed programmes across a wide range of areas, from finance, accountancy, administration and customer service to management, cyber security and social work, with qualifications spanning levels 2 to 7. Throughout their apprenticeship journey, they were supported by several training providers, and we were delighted to welcome representatives from IODA and Barnsley College to the ceremony to celebrate the achievements of their learners.

Cllr Caroline Makinson, Deputy Leader of Barnsley Council, said:

I was delighted to be part of our 2026 Apprenticeship Graduation Celebration and to personally congratulate colleagues on their hard work, commitment and dedication. Completing an apprenticeship alongside day-to-day roles and wider life commitments takes real determination and resilience, and this latest cohort should be incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved.

Events like this are vital in giving our graduates the recognition they deserve, while also showing other colleagues that progression is always possible and that it’s never too late to develop new skills. Including this latest cohort, we have now supported more than 950 employees to start an apprenticeship since 2017, with many more still to come. Congratulations to all our graduates on this fantastic achievement. 

Sarah Norman, Chief Executive of Barnsley Council, said: 

At Barnsley Council, we’re deeply committed to supporting the learning, development and wellbeing of our workforce. Apprenticeships are a key part of this, providing colleagues with the opportunity to build new skills, gain recognised qualifications and progress in their careers, whether they’re at the very start of their journey or looking to take their next step.

We’re particularly proud of the support we offer to people beginning their careers through our apprenticeship programme. As one of the UK’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers, we’re dedicated to helping apprentices develop confidence, capability and the skills they need for the future. Our apprentices play an important role across the organisation, and we’re committed to giving them the support they need to thrive.

Our employees consistently strive to be the best they can be, and that commitment helps drive our wider ambitions for the borough as we continue working together to make Barnsley the place of possibilities. I hope today’s celebration shows our graduates just how valued they are and how proud we are of their achievements. 

The Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony highlights Barnsley Council’s continued commitment to investing in skills, learning and career development. Apprenticeships play a vital role in building a strong, skilled workforce, supporting people to start, progress and succeed in their careers while delivering high quality services for the borough. With many more colleagues set to benefit in the future, apprenticeships remain a key part of the council’s ambition to make Barnsley the place of possibilities. 

Find out more about apprenticeship opportunities at the council on our Jobs website page.