Published: Monday, 24 May 2021

Oxford City Council has launched a search for 10 new apprentices. The apprenticeships programme aims to give young people in Oxford the opportunity to start a career at the City Council.

The City Council is particularly keen to recruit young Oxford residents from diverse backgrounds and wants to build a workforce that better reflects and understands the population of the city so is keen to receive and welcomes applications from all Oxfords communities.

The apprenticeships, which start in September, provide those aged 16 and over with the opportunity to learn, gain experience and get paid. There are roles available in environmental sustainability, youth work, housing services, business administration, financial services and more.

The City Council has been running apprentices since 2012. With a new cohort every two years, the organisation has supported 35 young people over that time period.

"Young people have had an extremely difficult year with the pandemic. We wanted to offer Oxford’s young residents an opportunity to kick-start their career, develop their skills, and earn some money while they learn.

“We have a range of opportunities on offer, including helping us tackle the climate emergency, working with our youth clubs, and supporting our fraud investigation team.

“We’re particularly keen to hear from young Oxford residents from diverse backgrounds, so the council better reflects Oxford’s residents.”

Councillor Mike Rowley, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services

Apprenticeships available

The City Council has apprenticeships available in the following teams:

  • Environmental Sustainability – Getting involved in the council’s programmes to reduce carbon emissions as part of the response to the climate emergency
  • Youth Ambition – Developing and supporting activities such as multi-sport sessions, community projects, events and supporting grants for external organisations is just part of what this apprentice will be involved in
  • Fraud Investigation  Supporting the Council’s Investigations Team which undertakes investigations of suspected fraud, crime and financial irregularity. There will be opportunities to work with external bodies such as the Police and a number of government departments and agencies
  • Tenant Involvement – Supporting the recruitment of Tenant and Leaseholder volunteers, known as Ambassadors to monitor and scrutinise the services provided by the Council as a landlord, along with producing a quarterly tenant magazine and supporting training programmes and events
  • Private Sector Safety – this team is responsible for monitoring and enforcing health and hygiene legislation and is a great opportunity for the apprentice to develop and get involved in investigating incidents such as pollution, noise and food poisoning
  • Corporate Assets – there are two opportunities available. The first in Technical Business Administration, developing an apprentice to provide a customer focussed role in advice and guidance on property related enquires and assisting a team of professional surveyors. The second opportunity is a Surveying Property Management Apprentice (Graduate Level) who will be developed to manage a small property portfolio which will include granting licenses and leases over Council owned land and property, service charge reconciliation and reading leases
  • Housing Options – Learning about housing and homelessness and engaging with internal and external partners to develop excellent customer service skills are just some of the key areas of the Housing Options Business Apprenticeship 
  • Financial Services – the Procurement and Payments Apprentice will get involved in both areas and develop their financial skills. Supporting online and internal management and accounting processes, updating the website, providing administration support and supporting internal audits are just some of the key areas this apprenticeship will be involved in
  • Revenues – The Revenues Business Administrator Apprentice will support the service teams in developing and providing strong administration, utilising various IT systems, writing reports and attending meetings. Dealing with housing benefits, council tax and business rates the apprentice will support officers to deliver excellent customer service

Apprentices will be able to work towards the following formal and recognised qualification as they work:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work – Youth Ambition 
  • Level 4 Intelligence Analyst Apprenticeship Standard – Fraud Investigation
  • Chartered Institute of Housing Level 2 Certificate in Housing Practice – Tenant Involvement
  • 4 Year BSc degree course, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, (CIEH) – Private Sector Safety
  • Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship – Environmental Sustainability, Corporate Asset, Housing Options, Financial Services
    Revenues.   
  • RICS Qualification working towards full Chartered membership – Corporate Assets, Graduate Level

Whichever level of qualification they choose, the apprentices will be supported by mentors, managers and assessors, as well as working alongside experienced colleagues who will help guide and support their development.

How to apply

To find out more about the apprenticeship programme visit the apprenticeship page.

The website also provide advice on:

  • How to write a job application
  • How to apply for a job online
  • How to prepare for an interview
  • The City Council’s values and behaviours

Those interested in applying are encouraged to have an informal discussion about the roles with the recruiting manger. Contact details for the recruiting managers are available on each job description.

The website also provides information about what the City Council's former apprentices said about their apprenticeship, and the permanent opportunities they have achieved since.

The closing date for all apprenticeship applications is midnight, on Sunday 13 June 2021.

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