Learn more, earn more and kick-start your future career with an apprenticeship at Colchester City Council.

Apprenticeships

We recruit apprentices in a wide variety of service areas and these range from Level 2 and 3 in:

• Customer Service
• Business Administration
• Events Assistant
• Learning and Development
• Digital Support

The scheme includes:

• a comprehensive learning and development programme
• induction and on-the-job training, project work, job shadowing, allocated workplace mentoring and buddying, as well as attending workshops and training courses
• dedicated study/training time with a recognised training provider, either on-site or by day release
• paying our apprentices the age-based National Minimum Wage without having to complete the first year of an apprenticeship or being over 19 years old.

Apply for an apprenticeship

Apprentices will be required to complete their apprenticeship and training before they apply for an alternative permanent or fixed-term contract role within the Council.

You can find apprenticeship vacancies in our current opportunities. These are advertised throughout the year as they become available.

You can also search for apprenticeships on the National Apprenticeship Service website. Here you can find vacancies in your local area or search for roles anywhere in the country.

Internal apprenticeships

We have internal apprenticeships for existing members of staff who are undertaking further learning as part of their development. These include Level 2 & 3 in Customer Service, Level 3 in Team Leading/Supervisor, Level 4 Data Analyst, Level 5 HR Consultant, Level 6 Chartered Surveyor and Level 7 Chartered Town Planner.

Become an apprentice

Whether you’re a school-leaver looking for your first job or want a fresh start with a new career, apprenticeships make great training routes for people at any stage of their lives. You will:

• achieve a nationally recognised qualification;
• earn a wage while learning job-specific skills;
• gain further opportunities for progression and development, such as training courses and workshops;
• advance your future career prospects;
• be part of a network of expertise build confidence and develop as a person.

Our apprentices are paid the age-based National Minimum Wage. We cover all your qualification and training costs and offer these additional perks:

• generous annual leave
• flexitime and flexible working policies
• subsidised gym and leisure membership, plus other wellbeing incentives/checks
• 'Bike2Work' scheme - large discounts on bikes and accessories
• public transport discounts - up to 50%
• discounted car parking facilities and car share scheme
• a range of local and national discounts on products and services
• eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme

Work experience

Every year we offer a variety of opportunities to gain voluntary work experience with our services.

Our placement lengths vary according to the needs and interests of the individual applicant, as well as the resources and workload of the department hosting the placement.

We are a ‘Disability Confident’ employer committed to providing work experience wherever possible.

Find out more about careers in local government

Armed Forces Work Placement/Job Shadowing Scheme

We are working with Career Transition Partnership (CTP) Assist, offering work placement/job shadowing opportunities for those who are likely to be medically discharged from the Armed Forces as well as the wounded, injured and sick.

These work placements are to support their resettlement into the civilian workplace. They could be anything from 1 to 4 weeks, to give experience of a job type or environment.

Phoenix Heroes also support veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including support back into employment.

Our vacancies can also be found on the Career Transition Partnership and Forces Families Jobs websites.

Work experience placements:

• Buildings and Technical Team
• Building Surveyor (Estates)
• Business Improvement
• Communications and Marketing
• Customer Services
• Enforcement Team
• Environmental Health
• Finance (Colchester Commercial Holdings Limited)
• Governance (Electoral Services)
• Health and Safety
• Human Resources
• Museums (Ipswich)
• Neighbourhoods (Recycling and Refuse)
• Land Charges
• Operational Finance (Business Rates)
• Operational Finance (Procurement)
• Private Sector Housing Team
• Environmental (Public Protection)
• Senior Leadership Support Team
• Sport and Leisure
• Strategic Housing
• Street Care and Safety
• Sustainability and Climate Change

Express your interest for a work experience placement

If you are interested in applying for a work experience placement with us, express your interest.

Only applications made via the form will be considered.

We will contact the relevant department to see if they are able to accommodate your request. If we are able to assist with a placement in your chosen area, we will contact you within 3 weeks of your application date.

Our work experience opportunities are extremely popular and whilst we consider each request individually and strive to offer opportunities to people where we can, it is unfortunately not possible to do so in every case.

Volunteering

Whether you're looking to develop practical skills, make new friends or dedicate some time to helping others, volunteering can be a fantastic experience. Please visit the Colchester and Ipswich Museums website for more information.

You can find more information about volunteering Colchester's parks, or help to build a thriving community with Community 360.