How Dorset Council Is Growing Future Leaders Through Apprenticeships

Local authorities face a unique talent challenge. Budget constraints are real. Competition for skilled people is intense. But the need to grow internal talent—to develop people who understand the organisation, its culture, and its communities—is more pressing than ever. That's why Dorset Council has partnered with TESS Group to deliver apprenticeship programmes across multiple service areas, from Business Administrators to Team Leaders.

The results are remarkable. Apprentices are moving into permanent roles, taking on greater responsibility, and showing they're ready for the next step in their careers. And the organisation gets exactly what it needs: capable people developed from within.

The Public Sector Challenge: Growing Talent on Limited Resources

Dorset Council serves over 400,000 residents across the county. That means hundreds of council staff delivering services across planning, finance, social care, highways, waste management, and more. Growth, turnover, and succession planning are constant realities. But training budgets don't stretch to expensive external programmes. Recruitment from the open market is costly and risky. And developing people internally requires structured programmes that actually work.

Why Apprenticeships Make Sense for Councils

Apprenticeships solve multiple problems at once. They're fully levy-funded, meaning no cost to the council. They combine on-the-job experience with formal qualifications, so people are learning while contributing to real work. They create clear pathways: you can start as a Business Administrator and progress to Team Leader. And they send a signal to staff: the council invests in your development.

Anaïs Hillier: From Business Administrator to Team Leader Pipeline

Anaïs Hillier is the apprenticeship story Dorset Council needed.

She started her journey with TESS Group on the Business Administrator Level 3 apprenticeship. This isn't a basic admin programme—it's a structured apprenticeship that combines CMI qualifications with hands-on skills in office management, communication, stakeholder engagement, and administrative systems. Anaïs came ready to learn and committed to developing herself.

During her apprenticeship, she didn't just sit at a desk. She took on two secondments—temporary assignments to different parts of the council—which gave her exposure to different teams, working styles, and challenges. She saw how different departments operated, built relationships across the organisation, and developed a broader understanding of council business.

The apprenticeship wasn't the end of Anaïs's story. On completion of her Level 3, she secured a permanent role at Dorset Council. That's exactly what the apprenticeship model is designed to do: develop someone into a capable employee who adds value to the organisation from day one.

But here's where it gets really interesting. After establishing herself in her permanent role, Anaïs is now enquiring about the Team Leader apprenticeship. She's seen the value of structured development. She's ready for the next step. And Dorset Council is positioning her as a future leader.

Building a Sustainable Apprenticeship Pipeline

Anaïs's story isn't unique within Dorset Council's programme. Another learner, Iona Burston, recently passed her apprenticeship in March 2026, showing the consistent quality and completion of the partnership.

What Dorset Council has built with TESS Group is a sustainable pipeline. People come in as apprentices, develop real capability, pass recognised qualifications, and move into permanent roles. Some, like Anaïs, keep progressing. The council gets the people it needs. And apprentices get the qualification, experience, and opportunity that make them attractive in the job market.

The TESS Group Approach: Dedicated Support and Flexible Delivery

This doesn't happen by accident. TESS Group works directly with Dorset Council to deliver apprenticeships that fit the council's needs:

• Multiple programme pathways (Business Administrator L3, Team Leader, and others across the council)
• Dedicated skills coaches (Nicola Dulson has been instrumental in supporting Dorset Council learners)
• Flexible delivery that works around council operations
• Regular check-ins and support throughout the apprenticeship
• Clear progression pathways from one level to the next

Our learners have noticed the difference. "I couldn't have gotten a distinction without her," one TESS Group apprentice reflected, speaking to the dedicated support that skills coaches like Nicola provide. Another apprentice said of Mark Swales, one of our tutors: "Mark Swales is a huge asset to the Tess Group. His tutoring is second-to-none... Thank you, Mark, for all your help & support throughout my apprenticeship." A third noted: "I just finished my apprenticeship, Mark Swales has been so helpful. He has helped every step of the way which made the apprenticeship less stressful."

National Apprenticeship Week Partnership

In March 2026, Dorset Council hosted its National Apprenticeship Week celebrations. TESS Group didn't just participate—we sponsored the photobooth, helping the council celebrate apprenticeships as a real career pathway within the organisation. It was a visible commitment: apprenticeships matter, and we're invested in promoting them.

The event was an opportunity for Dorset Council to showcase what's possible. Hundreds of staff and stakeholders saw real apprentices, heard their stories, and understood how apprenticeships drive talent development. For council leadership, it was proof that the apprenticeship strategy is working. For potential apprentices, it was inspiration.

The Leadership and Partnership

Behind every successful programme is strong partnership. At Dorset Council, that partnership is led by Mia Pearson, Apprenticeship & WBL Consultant, who has championed apprenticeships across the council and worked closely with TESS Group to shape programmes that work for real council environments.

This long-standing partnership means trust. It means Dorset Council can be honest about what's needed. It means TESS Group can deliver not just training, but real business impact.

What's Next: Scaling the Model

Anaïs's progression to Team Leader apprenticeship signals what's possible. Dorset Council isn't using apprenticeships as a one-off recruitment tactic. It's building a development system. Entry-level apprentices move into permanent roles. High performers like Anaïs progress to leadership development. The council gets sustainable succession planning.

And the momentum is building. With continued investment in multiple programme pathways and dedicated support, Dorset Council is positioning itself as an employer that develops people. For staff, that's compelling. For the council's long-term capability, that's crucial.

Ready to Build Your Apprenticeship Pipeline?

Whether you're a local authority, public sector organisation, or large employer facing talent challenges, apprenticeships work. They're affordable, they're proven, and they develop people who understand your culture and your needs.

Dorset Council has shown what's possible. From Business Administrator through to Team Leader development, from new talent to succession planning—apprenticeships can be your strategy.