Norfolk County Council named among Top 100 apprenticeship employers

Norfolk County Council has been recognised as one of the best places in the country to be an apprentice, earning a coveted spot in the 2025 'Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers' list. 

The rankings, published by the Department for Education, feature some of the country's most recognisable names, including McDonald's, Specsavers, and the British Army. 

Ranked 54th overall, Norfolk County Council stands out as the highest-ranked local authority in the country. 

Councillor Kay Mason Billig, leader of Norfolk County Council, said: 

"We're incredibly proud to be recognised in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers—it's a significant achievement that reflects the hard work of our teams and the value we place on developing talent. This recognition is not just a milestone—it's a reflection of our long-term commitment to skills, opportunity and the best local services." 

"Skills are the foundation of local services and Norfolk's economy. Apprenticeships are a vital route for people looking to take the next step in their careers. They also offer a fantastic opportunity for local employers to fill skills gaps, invest in their workforce, and build stronger, more resilient businesses." 

The rankings take into account feedback from apprentices on RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk. Norfolk County Council scored 9/10 based on their reviews, with on apprentice saying their time with Norfolk County Council was "the best decision I ever made!". Another praised their experience, saying "I love how varied the course is and how much support we receive to put the theory into practice during our day to day work experience." 

Key highlights of Norfolk County Council's apprenticeship programme include: 

• 566 apprentices currently with the council, with 49 more awaiting enrolment 
• 60+ different apprenticeships delivered across the county council, Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service, and local authority schools 
  • That includes roles such: Firefighter, teaching assistant, social worker, civil engineering, project manager, youth worker, solicitor and accountant. 
  • The qualifications range all the way from Level 2 (equivalent to a 4 or C and above at GCSE) to a Level 7 (equivalent to a Masters Degree) 
• 1,270 apprenticeship starts since 2019 

The rankings, compiled by the Department for Education and RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk, celebrate the top-performing apprenticeship employers across England. They are based on a robust set of criteria including apprenticeship achievements, programme diversity, completion rates, and apprentice feedback. 

The full list can be found on the Top Apprenticeship Employers 2025 page. 

To explore apprenticeship opportunities with Norfolk County Council, visit our Apprenticeships page.