Cal's Story - A Working Carer

I am mum to a young lady who is registered disabled and who has a severe learning disability. My daughter has a rare genetic condition that has resulted in global developmental delay. She has always been in special education provision. She has severe communication problems and displays autistic tendencies in her behaviour. I work full time and have worked at Trafford Council for over 20 years.

I have always found the Council to be incredibly supportive and flexible.

My manager understands how difficult some days can be and how juggling work and caring responsibilities can take its toll.

The Council’s flexitime policy is particularly helpful – this allows me to help my daughter with her personal care in the morning and come in to work later. My team also work in a hybrid way – so I do have the opportunity to work from home. This is also really helpful when juggling my caring responsibilities.

The reality of caring for a disabled daughter can be difficult at times and can take its toll. I do feel supported at work and feel able to discuss my mental health with my manager in an open and honest way. The time off for emergencies provision is also helpful if I have an emergency and have to make other arrangements for her care.

I feel lucky that I am able to continue to work in a job I love whilst still being able to offer the care and on-going support my daughter needs. I am also really pleased that the Council has developed a working carer action plan. There is also a carer staff networking group which is beneficial as you can get support from others facing the same daily struggles.

Nichola's Story - Qualifying as a Coach

When the opportunity arose to become a qualified coach with full funding and support from Trafford Council and STAR Procurement, I jumped at the chance!

I had been lucky enough to receive coaching myself and knew how valuable it was to have the time and space to work through current issues, future plans and areas for personal and professional development.

Participating in the qualification has allowed me to learn more about myself as a person and helped me to develop in my own role as a leader and manager.

Through the various interactive workshops I attended as part of the programme I have also been lucky enough to meet some great peoples who, like me, were keen to invest in their own personal development and learn new skills.

The qualification at times has been challenging as there is lots of reading, research and practice to undertake, but equally it’s been just as rewarding. I’ve been fully supported by my manager, immediate colleagues and also other colleagues from across the Council who were taking part in the apprenticeship at the same time. It’s been so useful to have a forum to share ideas, approaches and challenges both within my coaching practice and the assignments.

One of the greatest benefits to becoming a coach is that I have met and worked with Trafford Council’s own employees who have asked for coaching to support their personal and professional development. All the people I have worked with have been engaged, positive and inspirational and it’s been so rewarding as many of the people I have supported have been successful in gaining new positions and promotions at the Council. I would absolutely recommend it to others.

Daniel's Story - My Supported Internship Journey

We champion and support a variety of work experience opportunities and placements and are proud to support supported internships. Here's Daniel's story about his journey to date at The Council…….

My name is Daniel, I’m 24 years old and live in Stretford. I was on the Council’s supported Internship. The supported internship is run in partnership with Trafford College and Pure Innovations and gave me the chance to try different placements whilst studying. During the programme, Monday to Thursday each week I attended my placement in the morning and in the afternoon, I attended the onsite classroom sessions to study an Employment Skills level 1 Qualification. On a Friday I travelled to Trafford College in Altrincham to study for my functional skills qualifications.

My first placement was with the HR retained team. I spend two days with the Learning and Development team and two days with the recruitment team. The people on the HR teams were fantastic and helpful. In my placement, I sent emails to different team members and council staff. I also attended different events and meetings, including visiting Hotel Football for a Leadership Summit where I sat on reception and signed people in. I was also filmed for a Health and Safety video for staff.

I learnt new skills such as using the printers for scanning and printing. I had a number of duties to help the team such as checking the post and ensuring everyone has signed the fire safety register each morning. My 2nd placement was with the Registrars team at Sale Registry office. During this placement I helped the team with checking people in and showing them to the ceremony room. 

My 3rd placement was with the Connexions team at Talkshop in Sale. At this placement I was able to sign people in and answer phone calls. 

Since I completed the supported internship, I have volunteered at the Registry office and now volunteer a few days a week at two Trafford Libraries. 

Learn More About Supported Internships
If you are interested in completing a supported internship you can find out more information by visiting Trafford College's Supported Internship Pages.

Jade's Story - My Apprenticeship Journey

We champion and support our employees to help them learn and grow with us….. Here's Jade's story about how apprenticeships are helping her develop her knowledge in her role as Senior Licensing Officer.

My name is Jade and I am the Senior Licensing Officer within the Licensing Team which sits within Regulatory Services, where I supervise the day-to-day work of the Licensing Team. I joined the Team as a Licensing Officer in December 2017 and was in this position for 5 years before being promoted to a Senior Licensing Officer. I thoroughly enjoy working within this team as no day is the same and I learn something new every day.

The purpose of the Licensing Team is to carry out the licensing functions of the council and our primary purpose is to protect the public. We do this by managing and enforcing processes with regards to applications for Taxi and Private Hire Drivers and Vehicles, Alcohol/Non-Alcohol licensed premises, Entertainment Venues, Gambling Premises, Marriage Venues, Street Collections, Street Trading, Scrap Metal Dealers and many more.

In September 2022 on returning from maternity leave I was offered the opportunity to complete the Level 4 Regulatory Compliance Officer Apprenticeship which I jumped at the first chance.

It was hard work to juggle coursework and my day-to-day job. The reason I chose to do this course is because I am keen to further my career within the department and I felt it would be beneficial to learn more about the areas within Regulatory Services. The course has opened many doors for me to explore other areas of Regulatory Services should I wish to, and it has given me lots of ideas for the future.

I have taken a lot of information and knowledge away from the course that I look forward to using in the future.

In 2025, I choose to undertake a 2nd apprenticeship and started on our LEAP level 3 apprenticeship. This apprenticeship will help me develop my management skills and hopefully enable me to progress my career further.

Learn more about LEAP

Learn more about our Upskill programme.

Elise's Story - My Graduate Journey

We champion and support our graduates to learn and grow with us, in their chosen field. Hear from Elise about her graduate journey with The Council ...

I joined the Council two years ago as part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Graduate Scheme. I specifically joined the Development and Estates Team, and the Team gave me freedom to pursue my particular areas of interest. I joined with very little prior knowledge of the sector, and Trafford has helped by learn by providing me with invaluable industry experience.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my graduate experience at Trafford. From the beginning, I was given responsibility and treated as a valued member of the team. Throughout the scheme, I've been exposed to all aspects of Development and Estates, which has helped identify my career goals. I’ve been lucky to have access  to exciting opportunities, such as visiting the new Lumina Village Development site and the Stamford Quarter redevelopment. 

Alongside working, I have been working towards a master’s degree in Real Estate and Property Management at the University of Salford, with Trafford funding my dissertation. This involves attending one day of lectures per week on campus. 

The Team has allowed me to grow as an employee, despite my lack of prior surveying experience, by assigning me workload that corresponds to the module taught at university. Through this, I discovered my passion for surveying, and the Council helped me advance in the sector by pursuing my APC qualification. assisted me in furthering my career by allowing me to pursue my APC qualification. 

Overall, my graduate experience at Trafford has been incredibly fulfilling, offering me valuable industry experience, career development opportunities, and the flexibility to pursue further qualifications.

Learn more about the great opportunities we currently have available on www.greater.jobs.

Kirsty's Story - My LEAP Journey

We champion and support our employees to undertake apprenticeships that help them to gain promotions within Trafford. Here's Kirsty's story about here journey to date at The Council ...

I am Kirsty and I have worked at the council for over 18 years. I have recently completed the council’s LEAP into Leadership Level 3 apprenticeship. I decided to do the apprenticeship as I wanted a challenge, I was extremely nervous about it but felt it was the right time to push myself.  I also knew that it would help me if I was ever to look at a job promotion.

It was a massive challenge and a change to the way I have always worked but that wasn’t a low light, it was positive.  My tutor was amazing, so supportive, knowledgeable and always approachable. I enjoyed meeting new colleagues and working together, my cohort was always there if I needed a bit of advice.  I did struggle a bit, at first, with how I was going to fit the coursework around my job but once I got into the swing of things then it worked and just became part of my daily routine. I got great support from Trafford as well which included regular check ins and coaching sessions, to ensure I was fulfilling my potential. 

It has been a massive help to me, I have recently had a promotion and I now manager a team.  I use everything I have learnt every day in my own work as well as helping my team. 

I would say to anyone considering a LEAP apprenticeship at Trafford to go for it, definitely.  You have to be committed and be prepared for the extra work but the skills I have gained and the benefits to my old and new role made it all worth it.  I also felt that I was 30years past leaving college and that I couldn’t do it, I was too old and all that study/coursework…but I did do it and I’m so pleased I did!

Learn more about our LEAP management and leadership apprenticeships. 

Andy's story - My social work degree apprenticeship journey

I am Andy and I have worked at the council since 2019. I joined the council as a Customer Service Advisor and then progressed to a position as an advisor on our children's services front door. I have always had a passion for social care and in September 2022 I successfully applied to undertake the social worker degree with the council. This was a life-changing opportunity for me, as it allowed me to gain practical experience while studying towards my degree, and it has brought me closer to my goal of becoming a fully qualified social worker.

I completed my apprenticeship in March 2025 and graduated with a first-class degree apprenticeship in Summer 2025. I have now moved into a social worker role full time and am undertaking my ASYE year with my supported 2nd year to follow.

I would tell anyone thinking of working for Trafford to definitely go for it. The council really invests in your personal and professional development and provides the support you need to succeed in your role. I’ve had the chance to work alongside experienced social workers who’ve been great mentors, and the whole team at Trafford are so welcoming and encouraging.

I would say to anyone considering an apprenticeship at Trafford that it’s a fantastic opportunity to gain real-world experience while working towards your qualification. You’ll receive a lot of support from both colleagues and management, and the sense of community here makes it an inspiring place to grow your career in social care.

Nichola's Story - Qualifying as a Coach

When the opportunity arose to become a qualified coach with full funding and support from Trafford Council and STAR Procurement, I jumped at the chance!

I had been lucky enough to receive coaching myself and knew how valuable it was to have the time and space to work through current issues, future plans and areas for personal and professional development.

Participating in the qualification has allowed me to learn more about myself as a person and helped me to develop in my own role as a leader and manager.

Through the various interactive workshops I attended as part of the programme I have also been lucky enough to meet some great peoples who, like me, were keen to invest in their own personal development and learn new skills.

The qualification at times has been challenging as there is lots of reading, research and practice to undertake, but equally it’s been just as rewarding. I’ve been fully supported by my manager, immediate colleagues and also other colleagues from across the Council who were taking part in the apprenticeship at the same time. It’s been so useful to have a forum to share ideas, approaches and challenges both within my coaching practice and the assignments.

One of the greatest benefits to becoming a coach is that I have met and worked with Trafford Council’s own employees who have asked for coaching to support their personal and professional development. All the people I have worked with have been engaged, positive and inspirational and it’s been so rewarding as many of the people I have supported have been successful in gaining new positions and promotions at the Council. I would absolutely recommend it to others.

Nichola's Story - Qualifying as a Coach

When the opportunity arose to become a qualified coach with full funding and support from Trafford Council and STAR Procurement, I jumped at the chance!

I had been lucky enough to receive coaching myself and knew how valuable it was to have the time and space to work through current issues, future plans and areas for personal and professional development.

Participating in the qualification has allowed me to learn more about myself as a person and helped me to develop in my own role as a leader and manager.

Through the various interactive workshops I attended as part of the programme I have also been lucky enough to meet some great peoples who, like me, were keen to invest in their own personal development and learn new skills.

The qualification at times has been challenging as there is lots of reading, research and practice to undertake, but equally it’s been just as rewarding. I’ve been fully supported by my manager, immediate colleagues and also other colleagues from across the Council who were taking part in the apprenticeship at the same time. It’s been so useful to have a forum to share ideas, approaches and challenges both within my coaching practice and the assignments.

One of the greatest benefits to becoming a coach is that I have met and worked with Trafford Council’s own employees who have asked for coaching to support their personal and professional development. All the people I have worked with have been engaged, positive and inspirational and it’s been so rewarding as many of the people I have supported have been successful in gaining new positions and promotions at the Council. I would absolutely recommend it to others.