Apprenticeships with the council

Our diversity and the vast range of services bring great opportunities in different fields. There are also clear career pathways available and we are committed to supporting the personal development of our staff.

We would love you to be part of our future workforce and would do our best to make the apprenticeship journey the very best experience it can be for you.

An apprenticeship means doing a real job with quality training whilst gaining a qualification in the workplace. You'll earn a salary while you learn and be given allocated study time.

The features of an apprenticeship are:

• you will be studying a nationally recognised qualification
• you will receive a minimum of 12 months of training, dependent on the qualification. This could be up to four years for a higher-level qualification
• you will be working typically at least 30 hours per week
• there will be a mix of on the job training and classroom learning, dependent on the qualification
• around 20 per cent of your working hours will be spent on studying towards your qualification

Working in the public sector can be extremely rewarding and provide a real opportunity to serve our communities. Our staff need to be motivated, and passionate and share our core values:

• inclusive - we act with kindness and integrity respecting differences and embedding equality of opportunity
• ambitious - we are citizen and community focused, and adaptable in our approach to delivering excellent services as one local council
• creative - we are connected, inventive, continuously learning and look for improvements that deliver value for money
• together - we work collaboratively with colleagues and partners as one team to deliver our shared goals

To help you make that decision, here are some of the benefits you will experience:

• gaining valuable skills, experience and knowledge
• enhancing your employability, future job prospects and career opportunities
• receiving a salary whilst learning, avoiding significant debts which come from the traditional university route
• enhancing your social skills and confidence through working with others
• potentially using an apprenticeship as an alternative route to gaining qualifications needed as entry requirements to higher level qualifications

Intermediate - level two 

An intermediate apprenticeship is equivalent to five good GCSE passes. Apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as an NVQ level two.

Advanced - level three

An advanced apprenticeship is equivalent to two A-level passes. Advanced apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as an NVQ level three.

Higher - levels four to seven

Higher apprenticeships offer a work-based learning programme and lead to a nationally recognised qualification at one of the following:

• levels four and five are equivalent to a higher education certificate, higher education diploma or a foundation degree
• level six is equivalent to a degree
• level seven is equivalent to a master’s degree

An apprenticeship in business administration is an ideal foundation for your career because the role enables you to develop a variety of transferable skills. Whether you would like to progress into a career in business support or business management, this apprenticeship can help you to build your experience.

At the intermediate level, most administration roles involve working in an office and regularly using ICT, for example, to record and store data and produce letters, meeting minutes and notes. Administrators handle an office's day-to-day tasks and ensure things run smoothly. Without them, information would be hard to find, meetings would be missed and businesses would be less productive.

There are three types of apprenticeships in this field, intermediate, advanced and higher level. The level would depend on the specific role available.

Adult social care provides personal and practical support to help people maintain their independence and dignity and to make sure they have choice and control.

This higher apprenticeship will give you a range of skills to enable you to identify ways to provide high-quality care and is designed for anyone aspiring to a more senior role. You’ll manage staff or services in both residential and non-residential environments. You will be expected to have significant knowledge of the care industry in general, or of a specialist sub-sector within social care.

This is a higher-level apprenticeship (level five).

Accounting is a highly skilled profession, with accounting staff working at many different levels. Apprentices who qualify as accounting technicians might work as accounts assistants, credit control clerks, accounts clerks, or finance assistants, all helping accountants keep financial records and prepare accounts.

Tasks will include things such as balancing accounts, processing invoices and payments, completing VAT returns, helping to prepare financial statements and reports and handling banking and petty cash.

If you complete the higher apprenticeship, you can progress to full membership of the Association of Accounting Technicians. You could then complete a professional accountancy qualification with a chartered body.

This progression can lead to a specialist role in accounting. It’s also possible to enter a higher education course in a subject related to accounting, banking, insurance, or other financial services.

There are three types of apprenticeships in this field, intermediate, advanced and higher level. The level would depend on the specific role available.

Social care is about helping people with a particular need, such as older people and people with a disability, including learning disabilities. Care can include anything from helping people get dressed to transporting them to and from a residential home or taking them shopping.

This type of care usually occurs in the home, care homes, or community. There are also different specialisms within adult social care such as learning disability support workers and reablement workers.

There are two types of apprenticeships in this field, intermediate and advanced levels. The level would depend on the specific role available.

The IT industry develops computer solutions that help businesses and individuals become more successful in their work. IT professionals serve customers in all types of companies.

As an intermediate-level apprentice you could work as a support technician setting up new equipment or upgrading existing systems, or as a help desk professional working with customers to identify, troubleshoot and escalate IT faults.

On the advanced level apprenticeship, you could work as a software developer creating software applications and websites, or as a software tester, testing applications before they are released.

As a higher apprentice, you could work as an IT project manager overseeing customer systems development to meet a client’s business needs, or you could work as a network or telecoms manager, managing network growth and development, and supervising technical staff.

There are three types of apprenticeships in this field, intermediate, advanced and higher level. The level would depend on the specific role available.

A paralegal is not a qualified lawyer but is qualified to perform legal work that requires knowledge of the law and procedures. They provide legal support whilst working under supervision.

Typical activities that may be carried out include managing data and records, reviewing documents, drafting and producing legal documents and standard forms, carrying out research and handling confidential and sensitive information.

This is a two year apprenticeship at advanced level three.

A teaching assistant supports teaching and learning in a school. An apprentice teaching assistant would help to set up resources for lessons and help children with activities, such as listening to them read or helping them to write or spell. You may also carry out playground duty at break time and lunchtime and ensure that children carry out activities safely.

You’ll work under the close supervision of a class teacher. Typical duties may include helping with outings, reading to the class and supervising arts and crafts activities.

The advanced-level apprenticeship adds more responsibility to the role. You could help plan, carry out and evaluate a wide range of learning activities. You’ll work both alongside the teacher to support classroom activities, and alone with individuals or groups of students. It’s a good stepping stone to a foundation degree or higher-level teaching assistant training.

There are three types of apprenticeships in this field, intermediate and advanced. The level would depend on the specific role available.

The first step is to apply for an apprenticeship opportunity. If you are successful at the shortlisting and interview stages, you will be offered a position subject to satisfactory employment clearances.

Once you have started work, your designated approved training provider will come and see you at work and together you'll create your individual learning plan.

This is the main part of your qualification. Your training provider will visit you and provide you with training and advice. Together you'll build up a portfolio which demonstrates you can meet the standards set out in your qualification.

You’re reaching the end of your learning journey and your work is ready to be assessed by a verifier. They will review your portfolio to ensure it meets the required standard. If it doesn't then your training provider will work with you to give you any additional training you need before resubmitting it to the verifier.

Well done! Your portfolio has been successfully verified and you've earned your qualification. Your qualification is a nationally recognised achievement and demonstrates to everyone how skilful and capable you are.

You've finished this qualification, but what next? Maybe you want to progress onto further qualifications and training?

Advice, guidance and support will be available to help you plan your next steps.