Employment and Skills Apprentice

Salary: National Minimum Wage – Age 16-17: £8.00, Age 18-20: £10.85, 21 and over: £12.71 (per hour)

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week

Contract: This is a fixed-term opportunity for two years as part of Somerset Council's Apprenticeship Programme

Closing date: 21 October 2026

Looking to start or progress your career in business administration while helping people access learning and employment opportunities across Somerset?

This is an exciting opportunity to join Somerset Council's Community Learning Team as an Employment and Skills Apprentice. Through our two-year Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship Programme, you'll gain valuable workplace experience while developing skills in administration, organisation, communication and working with others.

You'll be supported by experienced colleagues throughout your apprenticeship and work towards a nationally recognised qualification, helping you build a strong foundation for your future career.

About the Role

As an Employment and Skills Apprentice, you'll provide administrative support to the Community Learning Team, helping to coordinate adult learning programmes delivered through external training providers. You'll play an important role in maintaining records, supporting team activities, and ensuring information is accurate, accessible and up to date.

This is a varied role that offers the opportunity to work with colleagues, learning providers and partners while developing practical business administration skills in a supportive environment. You'll gain experience of local government and adult learning services while contributing to opportunities that help people across Somerset develop skills, confidence and employment prospects.

How You'll Make a Difference

• Help support Community Learning programmes and activities across Somerset.
• Keep learner, provider and programme records, databases and information up to date.
• Support learning providers, partners and stakeholders by managing and sharing information.
• Help organise meetings, reports, events and other documents.
• Respond to enquiries from colleagues, partners and customers in a professional manner.
• Support the promotion of Community Learning courses and services through marketing activities, digital content updates and awareness-raising with learners and partner organisations.
• Carry out data entry and maintain electronic filing systems.
• Help make sure information is accurate, accessible and well managed.
• Complete your apprenticeship training and work towards a Level 3 Business Administration qualification.

What You'll Bring

• A willingness to learn and develop new skills.
• Good organisation skills and attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to use your initiative and work both independently and as part of a team.
• Basic IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• A flexible approach and the ability to manage your workload and meet deadlines.
• An interest in administration and supporting local services.
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above, or a willingness to achieve these as part of the apprenticeship.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council:
https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/

Further Information

• Your work base will be County Hall, Taunton.
• We offer flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.
• You’ll have one day per week dedicated to study and off-the-job learning.
• Apprenticeship Programme: Level 3 Business Administration.
• You must meet the national apprenticeship eligibility requirements, including having ordinarily lived in the UK for at least three years.
• Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Melanie Thomas (Service Manager Workforce and Skills) via email: melanie.thomas@somerset.gov.uk

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.

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