Durham County Council is recruiting dozens of paid apprentices - here's how to apply

Dozens of new apprenticeships are available at a major local authority.
The 2019 intake of apprentices at Durham County Council.The 2019 intake of apprentices at Durham County Council.
The 2019 intake of apprentices at Durham County Council.

Durham County Council is now inviting applications for more than 30 paid roles across a variety of occupations with courses ranging from entry level to degree level.

Candidates have until Sunday, July 19, to apply for the following opportunities due to start in September:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.

Apprentice Josh Thorns said: "I’m really enjoying meeting new people, developing my skills and receiving a regular wage.”Apprentice Josh Thorns said: "I’m really enjoying meeting new people, developing my skills and receiving a regular wage.”
Apprentice Josh Thorns said: "I’m really enjoying meeting new people, developing my skills and receiving a regular wage.”

Coun Andrea Patterson, the council’s 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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“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.”

Applications are invited from people of all backgrounds and ages.

Twenty-year-old Josh Thorns had worked in various temporary roles before securing his current financial management apprenticeship with the council.

Usually based at Durham’s County Hall with day-release placements at New College Durham, Josh is currently working at his nearby home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He 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.”

Further information is available at www.durham.gov.uk/apprenticeships with applications able to be made at www.northeastjobs.org.uk.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.

How to subscribe to the print edition:

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of.

Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.