Sara Jenner-Akehurst from Cambridgeshire County Council has been named as the 2024 Local Government Apprentice of the Year.

Sara, who is a Business Support Apprentice and a Level 3 Standard Business Administrator, won the award by competing in a virtual day of challenges to encourage participants to showcase their skills, expertise and initiative.

The one-day national event was designed and delivered by the Local Government Association (LGA), South West Councils and the East of England Local Government Association.

Awards were also presented to the joint runners up, Daisy Evans (Powys County Council) and Naomi Osborne (Colchester City Council) and the joint winning teams.

A prize for the on-the-day social media competition was also presented to Davinia Seville of West Midlands Combined Authority.

Sara said: ‘I really believe that my confidence has grown by attending this event. It has allowed me to see that I am capable and can be confident despite my disabilities and anxieties. Thank you again to everyone involved in the organisation of the event, as well as to my fellow colleagues for supporting me through this.’

Cllr Shaun Davies, chair of the LGA said: ‘Congratulations to everyone who took part in this year’s Local Government Apprentice of the Year and to our winner Sara Jenner-Akehurst.

‘This award is a great opportunity for the LGA to express our thanks to and recognise the achievements of our fantastic apprentices across the country who, as our winner Sara demonstrates, approach their work with dedication and skill.

‘Apprentices are so important to the work that local government does, helping councils to deliver the vital services that our residents need amidst a difficult financial background and increasing demand.’