Apprenticeships within the Vale of Glamorgan Council

An apprenticeship is a genuine job, with training, which means you can earn while you learn and gain a nationally recognised qualification.

All apprenticeships include elements of on and off the job training leading to recognised qualifications. The on-the-job training takes place in the workplace and a college or training provider provides the off-the-job skills and knowledge training.

• What is an apprenticeship?

  An apprenticeship is a scheme that allows an individual to work while simultaneously training towards a nationally recognised qualification in a relevant work area.

   

  We recruit apprentices on a fixed term contract, typically individuals who are looking for their first role and are keen to mix working with learning new skills and obtaining a nationally recognised qualification.

   

• How do apprenticeships work?

  An apprenticeship works on the basis that an individual will be employed within a specific role and receive the required training on the job for their role, as well as undertaking study and assessments from an external learning provider to work towards, and ultimately gain, a qualification.

   

  Whilst the individual will be learning key skills for their role in the work place, they will also spend a dedicated amount of time studying towards their qualification with an apprenticeship learning provider. Some of this may need to be done in your own time, so be prepared for that.

   

  The duration of an apprenticeship depends on the level of the qualification, which range from level 2 to level 7; the typical duration is between 12 - 18 months. 

   

• How does an apprenticeship differ from other professional qualifications?

  An apprenticeship is not just focused on obtaining a professional qualification, it is about ensuring that the individual is developing their skills, knowledge and behaviour within a work-based environment, so getting on the job experience whilst progressing towards a qualification.

   

  Individuals are assigned an assessor from the learning provider, who works with them for the duration of the apprenticeship to ensure progress is made and hurdles are overcome. At the onset of the apprenticeship the assessor works with the individual to create a milestone map tailored to the individual’s apprenticeship and personal development.

  At the end of the apprenticeship individuals will obtain a nationally recognised apprenticeship qualification as well as any professional qualifications included within the standard.

   

• What are the benefits of doing an apprenticeship?

  An apprenticeship is the most direct route into the workplace and there are many benefits:

  • Earning a salary and paid holiday

  • Working alongside experienced staff

  • Gaining job-specific skills

  • Excellent progression opportunities - to further study or within the workplace

  • Increased future earning potential - apprentices enjoy marked salary increases on finishing their apprenticeship and on their earnings over their lifetime

• Why do an apprenticeship with the Vale of Glamorgan Council?
  In addition to the support you receive from your manager and learning provider, you will also have access to our online learning system, iDev. iDev provides you with a variety of different learning for you to get stuck into; and if you’d like to discuss your learning with others, come along to our regular Learning Café events to talk to like minded people, about like minded topics.
• Examples of apprenticeships recently created within the Council

  Examples include: 

  • Apprentice Building Control Officer

  • Apprentice ICT Officer

  • Digital Learning and Development Apprentice

  • Exchequer Apprentice

  • Apprentice Legal Administrator

  • Apprentice Motor Vehicle Fitter

  • Apprentice Childcare Worker - Flying Start

Hear from colleagues about their experience of apprenticeships

• Flying Start Childcare Worker Apprentice

  Over at our Flying Start Centre on Skomer Road, our Level 2 apprentice has gone on to study at level 3 in childcare. Managers Sue O’Neill and Jo Flaherty tell us about the successes of hiring an apprentice into role:

   

  “Having the opportunity to recruit a childcare apprentice into our childcare team was of mutual benefit to both the apprentice and ourselves.

   

  "We were able to provide an environment for our apprentice to learn the skills and experiences needed to achieve their qualification, whilst also providing experience of working with children. Being in a working environment enabled our apprentice to gain valuable people skills and prepare them for the world of work.

   

  "Our apprentice soon became a team member and was able to access a raft of training both in-house on iDev and externally. This included GDPR Essentials, Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding.

  
  "For ourselves, the benefits were manyfold. Our current childcare workers were able to mentor and support our apprentice and demonstrate best-practice. Mentoring provided opportunities for our childcare staff to upskill and build on their own confidence.

   

  "When our apprentice commenced her Level 3 apprenticeship in Children’s Care, Learning and Development were able to include her in the adult to child ratios as set by our registration with CIW, relieving pressure on our team and further developing the apprentice’s skills. She soon became an essential part of the team, sharing ideas on providing a stimulating environment for our children.”

Next steps

• Search for Apprentice roles within the council - you can set up job alerts!

Vale of Glamoran Council Jobs

• Check out other resources regarding apprenticeships

Vale of Glamorgan Council Benefits

Careers Wales

National Apprenticeship Week 2020

• Contact us to discuss opportunities

• recruitment@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk