Developing Governance Talent at Cornwall Council

Learn how Ocea's apprenticeship strengthened her governance knowledge, built professional confidence and prepared early career professionals for real responsibility.

About Cornwall Council 

Cornwall Council serves over 550,000 residents & more than five million visitors each year. As the largest employer in Cornwall, the council deliver a wide range of essential public services from health & social care to housing, transport and community safety.  

Why Governance Matters 

Effective governance underpins everything Cornwall Council does, from strategic decision making and performance reporting to public accountability and long-term planning. 

Investing in skilled Governance professionals is essential. Developing early career talent with the right knowledge, confidence and organisational understanding helps strengthen decision making structures and ensures Governance functions remain robust, responsive and future ready.  

Why Ocea Chose the Apprenticeship

Ocea was drawn to this apprenticeship due to the mix of learning and hands on experience.  

‘I think apprenticeships are a great opportunity to build a solid foundation for a career in local Government and they offer the perfect mix of learning and hands on practical experience’. - Ocea Dunn, Governance Officer Apprentice. 

Building Confidence in Senior Environments 

Like many early-career governance professionals, Ocea often found herself the most junior person in the room. Initially, this was challenging, but taking part in the apprenticeship helped reframe that experience. 

‘Often being the most junior person in the room, is an intimidating position to be in, you feel as if you lack the organisational context that comes with time. However, it’s really important to recognise that your role adds value. I feel much more confident than when I first started as I have learned to speak up, ask questions, share ideas etc which have been reinforced throughout my lectures’ 

Supportive Leaning That Has Made a Real Difference 

Throughout her apprenticeship, Ocea had found her skills tutor Zoe's support to be beneficial to her whole journey. She found Zoe to be ‘approachable, encouraging’, offering her time to ‘whoever needs it, whenever it’s needed’. 

Ocea hadn’t realised how well and how far she had come until Zoe pointed it out. This helped her to change her perspective on her ‘development and professional progression’, finding ‘The whole experience has been positive and supportive’.  

Furthermore, having a cohort with other Governance professionals outside of her organisation helped understand how others approach Governance, further helping her confidence.  

‘Sometimes you realise you’re facing the same challenges and hearing how others have tackled them gives you fresh ideas and confidence’. 

Recognition Beyond the Organisation 

Ocea’s development led her to much wider recognition, proudly being featured in the Chartered Institute of Governance Magazine. Something she is ‘very proud of especially so early on’.  

Her feature talks about her role and how the Governance apprenticeship has helped her confidence grow and her role develop hugely since they started. With Ocea now taking full responsibility for varied tasks developing the importance of attention to detail.  

Interested in Developing Governance Capability in Your Organisation? 

Discover how the Governance Officer Level 4 Apprenticeship can build confidence, competence and long-term value within your governance teams. 

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