Eve Hind from Durham County Council has been named as the 2025 Local Government Apprentice of the Year.
Eve Hind from Durham County Council has been named as the 2025 Local Government Apprentice of the Year.
Eve, who is an Apprentice Business Administrator, won the award by competing in a virtual day of challenges to encourage participants to showcase their skills, expertise and initiative.
Now in its fifth year, this one-day national event was designed and delivered in partnership by the Local Government Association (LGA), South West Councils and Local Government East.
More than 70 Level 2 and 3 local government apprentices took part from across England and Wales, covering all 10 of the regions.
Building on the success of previous events, all those participating were either current apprentices or qualified within the last 12 months. This year’s event was themed around Housing, with each activity designed to draw on that theme while helping to develop successful workplace behaviours, linked to a range of apprenticeship standards. Each participant receives an individual report with their scores for each activity and an Employer Checklist with suggested questions for line managers to use with their apprentices.
As well as Eve’s individual success, awards were also presented to the three joint runners up, Anya Stevens (Plymouth Council) Leo Thomas (Three Rivers District Council) and Jessica Brooman (Isle of Wight Council) and the winning team, who were judged by a panel of communications professionals from across local government on a creative communications document. A prize for the on-the-day social media competition was also presented to Jake Snell, from East Suffolk Council.
Rebecca Rhodes, Director of Spark & Associates who has a vast range of experience in the apprenticeships sector, chaired the event. She was joined in a Q&A by guest speakers and attendees Nigel Carruthers, LGA Senior Advisor and Kym Lewis, Partnerships Manager, Association of Apprentices, on the importance of apprenticeships in local government.
Apprentices also heard from last year’s winner Sara Jenner-Akehurst, Business Officer in the LADO Team at Cambridgeshire County Council, during the event.
As part of its sector support offer, the LGA works to support councils across the country to deliver successful apprenticeship schemes to help people into training and employment.
Its Apprenticeship Support Programme helps councils to share good practices, provides advice and guidance, and supports councils to problem-solve and review council apprenticeship programmes through ‘Apprenticeships MOT’ health checks.
Significant expansion of apprenticeship opportunities over the last few years have created tens of thousands of apprenticeships in councils across England, in over 200 different fields.
Eve’s apprenticeship training was delivered by DurhamLearn, a Durham County Council service.
Eve Hind, Apprentice Business Administrator and the 2025 Local Government Apprentice of the Year, said:
“I joined Durham County Council straight from school which I found quite challenging at first, as it was a massive change. I can now say it was the best decision I have made.
“My apprenticeship with the council has helped me grow so much in confidence and has given me so many life skills and experience. My team have made me feel so welcome and I am so appreciative of their support over the course of my apprenticeship.
“The event itself I was still nervous for, but during the introduction call my mind was put at rest by all the event organisers as they were so welcoming. From then on, I was so excited to participate in this event.
“I loved getting to know other apprentices from all different areas. I would recommend this event to other apprentices. Winning this event has made me so much more confident in myself.”
Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the LGA said:
"Congratulations to our winner Eve Hind and to everyone who took part in this year’s Local Government Apprentice of the Year.
“This annual award recognises the achievements, dedication and skill of our fantastic apprentices across the country, who are so important to the work of councils.
“Amidst increasing demand and a difficult financial background, apprentices represent the next generation of the local government workforce, helping to deliver the vital local services that our residents need and rely on.”
John Hewitt, chief executive at Durham County Council, said:
“We are so proud of our apprenticeship programme and our amazing apprentices. We are delighted to see Eve being recognised as Local Government Apprentice of the Year and incredibly proud to have her as part of our team. This award highlights Eve’s contribution, talent, commitment and professionalism that our apprenticeship programme is designed to support. On behalf of all her colleagues, I would like to congratulate Eve on this outstanding achievement.”
Fay Edwards, South West Councils and Emma Grant, Local Government East (event partners) said:
“We were delighted to offer apprentices from England, Wales and Northern Ireland this unique opportunity to develop their skills and confidence through this national event. Working in local government offers a meaningful and rewarding career where individuals can make a real difference to their communities. Our congratulations go to every apprentice who participated for stepping forward and making this another brilliant event. Our thanks also go to the wider team behind the scenes and those who played vital roles in the day such as the chair, speakers, communications panel and development leads who all make this annual event the huge success that it has become.
“The use of technology to develop this event on a national scale has enabled us to bring together apprentices from across the UK, regardless of geography and job role, providing a platform to showcase the talent emerging within our councils. It was inspiring to see apprentices demonstrate such energy, creativity and teamwork as they tackled complex challenges throughout the day. This event is a fantastic example of effective partnership working between the three organisations who come together each year to co-design and deliver this high-quality, engaging experience - we are looking forward to building on the success of this year’s event.”
The full list of winners can be found below:
Winner
Eve Hind, Apprentice Business Administrator, Durham County Council
Joint Runners Up
Anya Stevens, Finance Apprentice, Plymouth Council
Leo Thomas, Senior Customer Service Representative, Three Rivers District Council
Jessica Brooman, Operational Support Officer, Isle of Wight Council
Winning Team
Team 5, consisting of:
Amy Sherar, Payroll Apprentice, Stevenage Borough Council
Becca Clark, HR Apprentice, Norwich City Council
Holllie Roberts, Energy Officer, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Inioluwa Ajayi, Data and Business Insight Apprentice, Braintree District Council
Kian Lewis, HR Data Apprentice, Cardiff Council
Libby Trusler, HR Support Apprentice, Islington Council
Ted Smith, Leisure Apprentice, Stroud District Council
Social Media Competition
Jake Snell, Economic Development Apprentice, East Suffolk Council
In addition to their awards, the overall winner receives £500 in Love to Shop vouchers, each runner up receives £250 in Love to Shop Vouchers, and each member of the winning team receives a £30 Love to Shop Voucher. The Winner of the Social Media Competition receives a £20 Love to Shop Voucher.