Applications invited for council apprenticeships

Our apprentices at their induction in 2019

We are recruiting apprentices across a wide range of occupations, with roles available from entry-level to degree-level apprenticeships.

How to apply

People have until Sunday 19 July to apply for a wide range of opportunities, which are due to start in September.

We are welcoming applicants of all ages and backgrounds to apply for the posts, which are advertised on the North East Jobs Portal.

The roles

Vacancies are available in:

• waste resource operative (Level 2)
• horticulture (Level 2)
• business administration (Level 3)
• HR support (Level 3)
• financial management (Level 3) 
• degree apprenticeships (Level 6) in civil engineering and quantity surveying  

Developing skills and receiving a regular wage

Twenty-year-old Josh Thorns had worked in various temporary roles, including casual work in leisure centres and teaching English to young people from other countries, before securing his current financial management apprenticeship with us.

Josh started his three-year apprenticeship in September 2019, based at Durham's County Hall, and is studying AAT qualifications with New College Durham. As he lives locally, in normal circumstances Josh can walk or cycle to work and his day release placement at college, but he is currently working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Josh said: "I decided that rather than go to university an apprenticeship would suit my career goals best. I was impressed with the council's apprenticeship programme and the range of apprenticeships available, so I applied for several posts and was pleased to be appointed as a financial management apprentice.

"This has been a great way to start my career in accountancy and I'm really enjoying meeting new people, developing my skills and receiving a regular wage."

Support for applicants

Cllr Andrea Patterson, our Cabinet member for corporate services and rural issues, said: "Apprenticeships can provide the perfect balance between practical experience and education, allowing people to earn whilst they work towards a recognised qualification at the same time.

"The impact of coronavirus means that the recruitment process for apprenticeship posts will be a little different this year, with interviews, enrolment, and induction carried out on-line, but all applicants will be supported throughout the whole process.

"The health and safety of the public and all our employees is priority. We have risk assessments and measures in place to ensure our existing staff and new recruits can all work safely, and I'm pleased that we're still able to offer people this fantastic opportunity for people to start or develop their careers."