Almost 100 new apprenticeships are on offer with Durham County Council.
The local authority is recruiting apprentices across a wide range of occupations from entry to degree level, offering people the chance to earn as they learn.
The scheme is the authority’s largest apprenticeship recruitment campaign to date.
Apprenticeships are open to people of all ages. Applicants can be a school leaver, someone looking to return to work after a period of absence or those looking for a complete change of career.
Roles currently available span a range of occupations including: adult care, gardener, bricklayer, catering, refuse and recycling, leisure, joinery, premises assistant, human resources, ICT, financial management and customer services. Other positions available include HGV technician, electrician, heating engineer, data analyst, project management, chartered surveying, civil engineering, procurement and solicitor, among others.
The council was awarded a place in the government’s Top 100 Apprenticeships Employers in October 2020, with the list celebrating outstanding apprenticeship employers from both the public and private sectors.
Jess Ball started her Level 3 business administration apprenticeship with the council in April 2021 after transferring from a solicitor firm. She is now based in the health and safety team on a two-year apprenticeship.
The 16-year-old said: “I knew I didn’t want to go to college full-time so an apprenticeship seemed like the perfect option.
“I’ll finish my apprenticeship with the same qualification as if I had been at college full-time, but I’m being paid to complete it and gaining great experience along the way.
“It was really nerve-wracking to start a new job working from home but the team has been so helpful.
“They couldn’t have done more to help me settle in and support me in the new role and I am so pleased that this is the route I have taken.”
Cllr Richard Bell, the council’s deputy leader and Cabinet member for finance, said: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for people to get into work and earn while they learn, gain valuable experience and progress in their career.
“They also help us to attract and retain the very best talent and a workforce for the future. In turn, this allows us to deliver the highest quality services to communities across the county.
“I’d encourage those who think any of the various roles on offer would suit them to find out more and apply.
“Our current chief executive, John Hewitt, started his career as an apprentice, so who knows, perhaps this recruitment exercise will unearth a chief executive of the future.”
The closing date for applications for the roles is Sunday 8 May, with the positions beginning in September.
Applicants can apply through the North East Jobs Portal at www.northeastjobs.org.uk/.
