Norfolk Apprenticeship Strategy Renewed as County Reaches 5,100 Apprentices
Cabinet has endorsed an updated apprenticeship strategy for 2026 to 2028, as figures show Norfolk now has 5,112 apprentices — a 4% rise on the previous year. Norfolk County Council itself employs 600 apprentices across departments including social work and law.
Norfolk has more than 5,000 apprentices for the first time, with numbers rising 4% in a year, Cabinet heard as it endorsed a renewed strategy to grow and support apprenticeship training across the county.
The Norfolk County Council Apprenticeship Strategy 2026-2028 brings together priorities from children's services, economic growth and human resources into a single plan, with an operational delivery plan attached.
The county's Apprenticeship Levy Scheme received £6.9 million from 39 donating employers. Of that, £5.8 million was used to support 585 apprentices across 265 organisations.
Norfolk County Council itself has 600 apprentices, working across a wide range of departments. Cabinet Member for Economic Growth Cllr Fabian Eagle highlighted investment in young people aged 18 to 30 and in helping community and voluntary organisations build their capacity.
The Chair, Cllr Kay Mason Billig, expressed disappointment that the adult skills budget will not transfer to any new County Combined Authority until 2028, following delays to devolution.
Cabinet endorsed the strategy and its delivery plan.