What is an apprenticeship

An apprenticeship is a real job. As an apprentice, you'll:

  • earn a wage
  • have the same rights and benefits as other employees, such as sick pay and annual leave
  • work with experienced staff
  • get practical experience
  • learn job specific skills
  • get paid time for training and study related to your role
  • work towards a range of qualifications
  • increase your long-term career prospects, as you develop the knowledge and skills that employers are looking for
  • join a community of apprentices and you can share your knowledge as an Apprenticeship Ambassador (apprenticeships.gov.uk)

Levels of apprenticeship

Every apprenticeship has a level and an equivalent education level. At the end of your apprenticeship, you'll achieve the equivalent education level:

  • Intermediate: Level 2, equivalent to GCSE
  • Advanced: Level 3, equivalent to A level
  • Higher: Level 4, 5, 6 and 7, equivalent to Foundation degree and above
  • Degree: Level 6 and 7, equivalent to Bachelor's or Master's degree

Apprenticeships take 1 to 6 years to complete, depending on their level.

Why do an apprenticeship with Bristol City Council

Doing an apprenticeship with us is a great way to start or change your career. You'll:

  • get experience working in a large, complex organisation
  • learn from experienced staff in your chosen field
  • work towards professional qualifications
  • develop your professional network and potential career opportunities

And you can take pride in providing services for citizens of Bristol.

We'll support you

As an apprentice with us:

  • you'll be supported by your manager and team, the apprenticeships team and a network of staff led groups, including the Young Professionals Network
  • you'll get time for training and study as part of your working hours
  • we'll pay for your training and qualifications

You'll also get support from a local training provider. This includes taught training and one-to-one sessions with a skills coach.

Our apprenticeships

We offer more than 50 apprenticeships in, for example:

  • business administration
  • engineering, including highways and gas engineers
  • finance, including Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)
  • health and social care, including adult care workers
  • horticulture
  • human resources (HR), including Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
  • information and communications technology (ICT)
  • legal, including paralegals and solicitors
  • project management
  • education, including early years practitioners and teaching assistants

What you'll earn

We're a living wage employer. If you're:

  • under 18, you'll earn £8.72 an hour
  • 18 or above, you'll earn £10.90 an hour

You'll also:

  • get an annual leave allowance, starting at 25 days
  • have flexible working options, depending on the role
  • become a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme
  • get free travel support from Wheels to Work (One Front Door)
Who can be an apprentice

Anyone over the age of 16 can do an apprenticeship. You could be a school leaver or have been working and want a new career.

We encourage applications from people living in Bristol who:

  • are 16 to 24 years old
  • are not in education, training or employment
  • are from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups
  • identify as LGBTQ+
  • have a disability
  • are care leavers
  • live in areas of deprivation

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Join us as an apprentice

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