Apprenticeship Scheme
Our apprenticeship scheme offers a valuable alternative career path to college or university. As an apprentice you will gain valuable work-based experience alongside studying for a qualification – it’s a great first step on the career ladder.
Every apprenticeship is different. The job advert will include important information about the specific job itself such as: the work you will be expected to do; the qualifications and experience you need to apply; what you will be paid; and some of the benefits of working for the council. It may also include specific information about the apprenticeship.
Here’s what you can typically expect if you’re an apprentice at Winchester City Council:
- Workplace – you’ll work in the council offices in Colebrook Street in Winchester, as do the majority of council employees and apprentices. Depending on your role, working from home for some of the week may be possible once you’ve been in your job for a while.
- Hours – if you’re full-time, you’ll work 37 hours per week. Occasionally we offer part-time apprenticeships – these take a little longer to complete as the length of the training is extended to take account of the reduced hours.
- Qualification – you will study for a recognised qualification related to your role. The job advert will tell you what this qualification is.
It’s not unusual for you to start working for the council and get some work-based experience some time before you start your training course.
An apprenticeship can be broken down into 2 key stages:
- Formal training – through a recognised apprenticeship course you’ll learn the skills, knowledge and behaviours you’ll need to do your job. Apprenticeships typically last for 18 – 24 months but can be longer depending on the specific course. The council will identify who you’ll do your training with but the training provider will ask you to apply for a place on the course yourself. Whether your course is online or you have to attend college, you will be given time off during the working week to complete your studies. There will also be opportunities to take part in other learning activities as part of your apprenticeship learning. If you’re studying for a NVQ, your course will have a number of mandatory units that you must do and a number of optional units based around your job. You’ll be supported by an assessor from the training provider and your manager throughout the apprenticeship. You’ll get a qualification at the end of this stage but won't yet have completed your apprenticeship.
- End Point Assessment – this is an independent assessment of the skills, knowledge and behaviours learned during your course. You’ll be given time to prepare for and to sit the assessment. At the end of this stage, you’ll have finished your apprenticeship.
The council will pay all your training costs including, any travel and study materials.
- Leave – you’ll get 26 days of annual leave if you’re full-time (or a proportion of this if you’re part-time). You can take your leave in the same way as any else who works for the council, although as an apprentice, you’ll be expected to plan your leave around your training and learning.
The council is committed to helping you achieve your apprenticeship and may also give you extra time off work to help prepare for assessments and exams.
- Practical support – the Wheels To Work scheme is a low-cost moped hire scheme to help 16 year-olds and over living in Test Valley, New Forest, Winchester or East Hampshire travel to interviews, training or work. Find out more: https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/wheelstowork
For more information: