Apprenticeships - Print version

About us

'One Coventry' is our approach to building a Coventry that works for all. It is not a programme with projects and milestones; it is about how we do things now and in the future. It's working together to improve people's lives and the city.

At Coventry City Council, we enable individuals and families to live their best lives and achieve successful outcomes through customer contact, public health prevention, education & skills, adult and children’s services and by providing support for the most vulnerable. The work we do improves people’s lives – from helping them into work, to providing clean and green places to live and keeping people safe and protected.

We genuinely believe that Coventry City Council is a special place to work, and our colleagues take immense pride in providing services to our residents to improve their lives and make Coventry a better city for everyone.

Our service areas include:

• Adults & Housing
• Children's & Education
• City Services
• Digital Services
• Executive Management
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Innovation
• Law & Governance
• Partnerships & Performance
• Policy & Communications
• Property Services & Development
• Public Health & Insight
• Regeneration & Economy

We offer apprenticeships that will enable you to start your career across all of these service areas.

Our apprenticeships

We see the value in apprenticeships as a foundation of a great career and offer a range of opportunities and career pathways.

Examples of the types of apprenticeship available at the Council

• Business Administration
• Civil Engineering
• Customer Service
• Design and Marketing
• Electrical Installation
• Events
• Facilities Services
• Finance
• Highways
• Horticulture/Gardening
• IT
• Legal
• Plumbing/Heating
• Vehicle Mechanic

Why choose us?

Apprenticeships at Coventry City Council offer you the chance to start a career and reach your potential in a supportive and structured environment.

As an apprentice at Coventry City Council, you will gain new knowledge, experiences and qualifications, all whilst earning a salary.

We recognise that for many people an apprenticeship will be their first experience in the world of work, and this may come with some nerves about what to expect and the support you will receive.

In addition to the support you’ll get from your manager and team, as an apprentice at Coventry City Council you will also have a dedicated Apprenticeship Officer that will work with you to provide:

• Pastoral care and mentoring
• Access to additional learning and development opportunities
• Career advice and guidance
• Employability support

Quality of your experience is at the heart of everything we do, and we will ensure that you get the most out of your apprenticeship and will provide you with the support to take the next step in your career.

The Council also has a variety of active and vibrant employee networks [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/diversity-inclusion/diversity-inclusion-1], including a young employee network where you can meet, share your experiences and socialise with other young Council employees.

Apprenticeships are a key part of our plans to train the Council’s workforce of the future so we do all we can do to ensure our apprentices stay with us after completing their apprenticeship.

Due to this approach over 9 out of 10 Council apprentices who finished in 2021/22 went into employment.

Apprenticeship vacancies and how to apply

Current apprenticeship vacancies [https://careers.coventry.gov.uk/jobs/category/108]

Eligibility

To be eligible for our apprenticeships you must:

• Be aged 16+
• Have valid ID proving your right to work in the UK
• Have been resident in the UK or EU for the past three years (there are some exceptions to this including for refugees or asylum seekers. If you don’t meet this criteria you can contact us to see if you are covered by an exception)
• Not already be on an apprenticeship programme or government-funded education programme (unless this is due to finish or you will leave it prior to starting your apprenticeship with us)

Apply for apprenticeships

Apprenticeships at Coventry City Council:

• On our jobs page [https://careers.coventry.gov.uk] press ‘Login/Register to create an account (You will only have to do this once).
• Select the apprenticeship vacancy you are interested in and read through all the information.
• Press "Apply", complete all sections of the application form.
• Press "Submit". You will receive an email to confirm your application has been received.

Apprenticeships at Coventry schools:

• Select the apprenticeship vacancy you are interested in and read through all the information.
• At the end of the advert you will see an application form – download the form
• Complete the application form and e-mail it to the school using the e-mail address on the advert.
• The school will then contact you regarding the next steps.

Support with your application

We understand that applying for jobs can be a daunting process if you’ve not had any or much experience and don’t know what to expect.

There is support available to you via the Council’s Job Shop [/jobshop]. Colleagues at the Job Shop will be able to assist you with applying for our apprenticeships and also offer a wide range of additional employment support.

Hear from our apprentices

Francesca - Apprentice Teaching Assistant, Whitley Abbey Primary School

What does your apprenticeship involve on a day-to-day basis?

The most interesting part of my job is the children and how they all have different learning styles and personalities. I love watching a child have a lightbulb moment where they understand what you’ve said and apply it.”

What has been your greatest challenge? How have you dealt with it?

“The greatest challenge is coping with the level of responsibility that you have with children’s education. I ensure I remember that each child is different and that they will require different levels of intervention. Some days will be really chaotic and you feel like you’re chasing your tail, but it’s always worth it.”

What are your plans once you finish your Apprenticeship?

“I plan to enrol on to a PGCE and train to become a Primary School Teacher specialising in Key Stage 1.”

Aaron - Customer Service Apprentice, Customer Services

What does your apprenticeship involve on a day-to-day basis?

“I undertake lots of tasks within the phones team for Children’s Services. I get supported by my mentor on the phones to show me how transfer the call or take a message. I contact Social Workers to pass on messages and I look up information and enter updates into our database. I also undertake a variety of administrative tasks including booking appointments for people in their calendars."

What do you find most interesting about your role?

“The thing I find the most interesting is talking to a wide range of different people. Each time you answer the phone you speak to different people so talking to a variety of personalities is interesting."

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about applying for an apprenticeship?

“The first piece of advice I would give is to be confident to ask questions, don’t be shy to ask any questions because at the start of an apprenticeship you will have a lot and you’ll need to ask them.

I would also advise someone applying for an apprenticeship to find out as much about the apprenticeship they are thinking of doing first.  Do a little research about the apprenticeship just to give you a little understanding of what the job role is.

Finally, I would advise being enthusiastic about the tasks that you have been set, if your manager sees that you have a positive approach to tasks they give you and you are showing them you’re interested in doing your best, it will help further down the line in the apprenticeship because they will recognise your hard work.”

Jasmin, Apprentice Benefits Officer, Revenues and Benefits

What does your apprenticeship involve on a day-to-day basis?

"My day-to-day tasks are to index Free School Meals (FSM) e-mails and inputting Change of Circumstance forms on our system. We make sure that the school are receiving the correct FSM funding and have the right information for the children on their database.”

What do you find most interesting about your apprenticeship?

"The most interesting thing about my apprenticeship is supporting customers through the application process. This allows me to learn more about the services we offer to customers and what they are eligible to apply for.”

How will your Apprenticeship help you with your future career?

“My apprenticeship will help me progress in my future career as I can support people in the right way and learn more throughout this experience. I am excited to grow as an individual as well as make a positive impact for our customers. I also think this a great opportunity for me to expand my knowledge and skills as well as push myself further in a great department.”

Jacob, Highways Apprentice, Highway Maintenance

What does your apprenticeship involve on a day-to-day basis?

“I undertake a wide variety of tasks each day in relation to road and highways repair and construction. This involves things such as preparing ducting ready for cables, tarmacing and kerb laying.

I need to ensure everything I do is accurate so that things are done right the first time; otherwise it would have to be done again, wasting time and money.”

What was your experience in the first month of your apprenticeship?

“I have been very well supported by my manager.  When we first went to Doncaster to attend college, he took us there and back and then on our first residential he came with us for the outward journey, so we were confident in where we were going when we returned and for the next time. I have got shown lots of new skills and am learning all the time. The team I am with are supportive, patient and helpful. I am really enjoying it.”

What are your plans when you finish your apprenticeship?

“I will hopefully, with all the skills I have learnt, be able to keep on working for Coventry City Council in Highways Maintenance.  I think it is a great organisation to work for.”

Charleigh, Events Apprentice, Event Management

What do you find most interesting about your job?

"My job is extremely interesting and I have been fortunate enough to have worked such a large array of events so far. The Radio One Big Weekend was the first event I was involved in. I thoroughly enjoyed going behind the scenes of such an immense event to see how it is planned and put together.

Since then I have worked on many events including: the Godiva Festival, the International Children’s Games and the Queen’s Baton Relay. What I love most about my job is that every day is different, with different challenges to overcome and countless memories made!”

How will your apprenticeship help you with your future career?

"My apprenticeship will set me up for a great career in events. Being part of the council I also get a lot of opportunity to work with other teams, meaning my knowledge and skills are greater than I had ever would have expected.”

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for an apprenticeship?

"I am a massive advocate for apprenticeships having already completed one and now completing this one; I am fortunate to have gained such a wide range of knowledge and skills whilst earning my certification at the same time.

Getting to ‘earn while you learn’ makes my work life balance much easier. As I don’t need to have a secondary job alongside earning qualifications I have a lot of downtime to myself. Apprenticeships tend to bring together like-minded people and I have met lots of great people through my apprenticeship.”

Tyler, Combustion and Heating Apprentice, Repairs and Maintenance

What does your apprenticeship involve on a day-to-day basis?

"On a day-to-day basis I can be doing various tasks including: plumbing, gas engineering, general labouring, gas servicing, or changing parts on boilers."

What do you find most interesting about your apprenticeship?​

I like meeting new people and spending time in a work environment. I enjoy getting familiar with and understanding the history of the buildings.  I also get to learn new skills and develop my knowledge on the job."

What advice would you give to a person who is thinking about applying for an apprenticeship?

“If you are interested in getting a job within the council then an apprenticeship is a great way to start, you gain hands on experience and gain a qualification and put into practice your skills and understanding into a job" 

Medina, Digital Marketing Apprentice, Employer Hub

What does your apprenticeship involve on a day-to-day basis?

“As a Digital Marketing Apprentice my role focusses on social media and marketing activities promoting the work of the Employer Hub. This involves creating promotional material for upcoming job opportunities, events and other programmes advertised through The Job Shop.

Recently I have also been liaising directly with customers and supporting them with any queries through various social media platforms.

What was your experience like in the first month of your apprenticeship?

"Within my first month at the council, I was welcomed by many friendly faces and an amazing team. As a recent school leaver, it took some time to adjust to my new surroundings, but I can now say that I am growing in confidence daily, and this is something that has been fed back to myself and my manager through various colleagues and would not have been possible without the support from my team.”

What do you find most interesting about your apprenticeship?

"I have found it interesting learning about different roles within different sectors and what qualifications / courses may be necessary.

Additionally, I have also found that I enjoy having the option for hybrid working, spending some days at the Job Shop and others working from home.”

Finlay, Highways Technical Apprentice, Highways Technical Team

What does your apprenticeship involve on a day-to-day basis?

"My apprenticeship varies day-to-day as there are multiple tasks and projects happening for me to get involved in. In the first few months of my apprenticeship I was involved the works being done on the ring road which was a big project to be exposed to so early on. Within the Highways department there are multiple teams, meaning all the work is different; one day I could be working in structures, doing bridge or wall inspections and the next I could be in footways doing levelling or organising a scheme. The variety of work allows me to challenge myself whilst also learning new skills and seeing all the different aspects of the job."

What do you find most interesting about your apprenticeship?

"The most interesting part of my role is the variety of the tasks, there is always something new to do and be a part of. This allows me to be able to learn a lot from not only from my training, but working alongside the skilled and experienced engineers who take time to explain and show me the correct way to handle tasks. 

How is your apprenticeship helping you with your career goals? 

“My apprenticeship gives me the opportunity to learn and develop my skills and knowledge in my chosen career of Civil Engineering.  It gives me a good overview of the industry and the different aspects of working within Coventry Highways department."

Jessica, Apprentice Fleet Technician, Integrated Transport

What does your apprenticeship involve on a day-to-day basis?

"My apprenticeship can vary hugely depending on what jobs require completing each day. On my first day I was introduced to welding which I had never done before, my brilliant mentor talked me through how to get a good weld. I learn something new every day and I’m an extra pair of hands when anyone needs them. I truly enjoy the new experiences and challenges.“

What was your experience like in the first month of your apprenticeship?

"The most interesting thing about my job is how varied the work can be. There is always something different about each job and how each mechanic approaches the job at hand; there are even some things that mechanics that have been in the trade for decades are new to. It is very interesting to see someone approach a job and take that information and adapt my own approach.”

What do you find most interesting about your apprenticeship?

"This apprenticeship will help my future career because I’m in a work environment learning the trade. I’m doing things for myself, and I’m not sat in a classroom. I’m learning and understanding what I need to do to be a good HGV mechanic.“

Usama, Finance Apprentice, Finance Support

What does your apprenticeship involve on a day-to-day basis?

“I carry out a variety of tasks in my apprenticeship depending on what needs to be done that day; this could be something I do on a regular basis or something I’ve never done before. An example of a task I undertake regularly is posting expense claims for foster carers on our system and then logging the claim on our tracking document.”

What is the most interesting part of your apprenticeship?

“The most interesting part of my role in Finance Support is being able to see the inner workings of a large organisation and how funds are managed and used within the Council.”

How will your Apprenticeship help you with your future career?

“This apprenticeship will help me in my future career by allowing me to learn the necessary skills and then be able to apply them in day to day work while being supported by both the my team and training provider.”

Harry, PE Apprentice, Whitmore Park Primary School

What does your apprenticeship involve on a day-to-day basis?

"In my apprenticeship I get to work both in setting up and delivering PE lessons as well as assisting in the classroom which is giving me a wide range of experience.”

What do you find most interesting about your apprenticeship?

“The most interesting of my apprenticeship is leading a class either in the classroom or part of a PE lesson, making sure all of the children are engaged and learning.”

What has been your greatest challenge?

“My greatest challenge is being more confident in dealing with behaviour in the classroom. I’ve worked on this by observing how others approach similar situations and learning from them.”

How will your apprenticeship help you in your future?

“My apprenticeship is helping me to gain the skills and experience I need to progress with my career ambitions.”

Information for parents and carers

Apprenticeships: What parents and carers need to know.

So, what is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are designed by employers to ensure that the training undertaken is matched to the skills, knowledge and behaviours an apprentice will need for that role and career.

Apprenticeships allow people to gain both the practical skills and experience as well theoretical knowledge required at the same time.

All apprentices spend a minimum of 6 hours per week working towards a nationally recognised qualification, paid for by the employer.

Apprenticeships are no longer solely for engineers or craftspeople; there are now over 600 different types of apprenticeship across every industry and sector, with this number growing each year.

Apprenticeships are continuing to grow in popularity, with over 75% of young people now considering an apprenticeship as the best way to shape their future career.

Apprenticeships are no longer a second-choice option to going to university; in fact, apprentices can now undertake Degrees and even Master’s, all funded by their employer.

Apprenticeships are more than achieving a qualification, they give individuals valuable work experience and a great insight into how a business works.

Who can apply for an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are open to anyone who is:

• Aged 16 or over by the end of the school summer holidays
• Has lived in the UK for 3 years+
• Is not in full-time education*

If you are in full-time education you can apply for an apprenticeship, but you must either finish or leave before starting the apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship levels

Apprenticeships are available from Level 2 to Level 7 and are categorised as:

• Intermediate – level 2 – equivalent to 5 GCSEs at 4/C and above.
• Advanced – level 3 – equivalent to 2 A-levels passes.
• Higher – level 4-7 – Foundation degree and above
• Degree – level 6-7 – Bachelor’s or master’s degree

How is the training delivered?

Apprentices are employed full time and as part of this are paid to study towards their qualification. Depending on the type of apprenticeship this study could involve either day or block release to a college or training provider or delivery on the job or virtually by the training provider. Apprentices are given a minimum of 6 hours per week to study so that they are able to complete the requirements to achieve their qualifications.

Who funds apprenticeships?

Apprenticeships are funded by the employer, so there is no cost to the apprentice.

Are apprentices just given basic tasks?

Some people still mistakenly think that the role of the apprentice is to make the tea, sweep the floor and undertake basic tasks that others don’t want to or don’t have the time to do.

This may have been the case many years ago, but apprentices are a key part of us training the next generation talent and to do this we ensure that they are given a wide range of tasks and supported to fulfil their potential. 

How are apprentices supported?

We recognise that for many people an apprenticeship will be their first experience in the world of work and this may come with some nerves about what to expect and the support they will receive.

In addition to the support our apprentices will receive from their manager and team, they also have a dedicated Apprenticeship Officer that will work with them to provide:

• Pastoral care and mentoring
• Access to additional learning and development opportunities
• Career advice and guidance
• Employability support

The council also has a Young Employees Network ‘Generation CCC’ where they can meet other young employees and apprentices to socialise, provide mutual support and access to further development opportunities.

Do apprentices go into jobs when they finish?

Apprenticeships are a key part of our plans to train the Council’s workforce of the future so we do all we can do to ensure our apprentices stay with us after completing their apprenticeship.

Due to this approach over 95% out of 10 Council apprentices who finished in 2021/22 went into employment.

If you have any other questions that aren’t covered here, please see our ‘Your questions answered’ page [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/future-talent/apprenticeships-early-careers/4] or get in touch using the contact details below.

Your questions answered

I’ve heard it’s hard to get a job at the Council and I need to already know someone working there?

We don’t quite know why some people still think this, but it couldn’t be further from the truth! As a Council we pride ourselves on having a fair and transparent application process that gives everyone an equal chance to showcase their suitability for roles. Just like our city, our apprentices come from a variety of diverse backgrounds.

What ages are your apprenticeships open to?

All ages. You can start at 16 after finishing Year 11 and there’s no upper age limit.

What are the entry requirements?

These vary by apprenticeship, but as apprenticeships are entry level positions, we keep them to a minimum. We aren’t looking for you to already have lots of experience, you’ll get that on the apprenticeship. We are looking for you to have an interest in the apprenticeship you’re applying for and to have transferrable skills you can use. There are minimum requirements for Maths and English for apprenticeships, these will be listed on the job description for each role. If your application is shortlisted, we will undertake an assessment to see if you are currently working at the right level.

What will I be paid?

Our apprentices start on the apprentice minimum wage and you will receive an increase to the appropriate national minimum wage [http://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates] when you have been in post for 12 months.

When do you advertise?

The majority of our apprenticeships are recruited all year round. However, most of the apprenticeships at our primary schools are recruited to between May and July to start in September.

How long do your apprenticeships last?

This depends on the level of apprenticeship, it can range from 15 months up to two years, some can be up to four years. It will be stated in the job advert as fixed term contract followed by the length of contract.

What level apprenticeship will I study?

The level will be included in the job advert. The type and level of apprenticeship will be related to the role that you will be doing. Our entry level apprenticeships will be at either Level 2 or 3. Apprenticeships can range anywhere from level 2 to level 7 and some of our apprenticeships will also offer you the opportunity to move on to a higher level qualification after completing the first one.

Where do I apply?

All of our apprenticeship vacancies are advertised at www.coventry.gov.uk/jobs [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/jobs].

View our current apprenticeship vacancies [https://careers.coventry.gov.uk/jobs/category/108]