Pembrokeshire County Council has appointed a new graduate trainee.
Jo-Anne Jones will start work in the Council’s Social Care and Housing department shortly.
The 22 year-old from Newgale is the latest recruit to the Council’s Graduate Development Scheme, which enlists the services of some of the County’s brightest, local, youngsters to help it provide its services.
More than a dozen young people have been taken on since the scheme was launched in 2001.
“I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Jo-Anne, who graduated from Bristol University this summer with a 2:1 in Geography.
“I wanted to stay at home in Pembrokeshire near my friends and family and develop a career here. I’ve been keeping an eye out for graduate opportunities in the County and the Council seemed like a really good employer.”
While she works in the Housing Division, Jo-Anne, who attended Ysgol Dewi Sant, will also study for a Diploma in Housing and Professional Practice on a day release course at Cardiff University.
The course will lead to membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
“We hear too often how youngsters have to move away from Pembrokeshire to find work,” said the Council’s Chief Executive, Bryn Parry-Jones.
“The Council is constantly striving to improve employment prospects in the County and this is a good way of investing in local talent,” he said.
“The scheme offers young people a combination of learning through practical hands on experience, while also giving them the opportunity to study for professional accreditation in a friendly and supportive working environment. “
Photograph: Jo-Anne Jones outside County Hall with Lyn Hambidge, Head of Housing Commissioning.
