Apprenticeships

Wirral Council employs a number of apprentices in a range of job roles across different Council departments.

Our apprentices work alongside experienced staff to gain skills related to their job.  They learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money at the same time.

They work towards a work-based qualifications such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) as well as a relevant Technical Certificate and Key Skills.

You can learn more about what our Apprentices say.

More general information about apprenticeships is available on the National Apprenticeship Service website.

What you need to know about Apprenticeships at Wirral Council

What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a job with training. It is a way of learning new skills and getting paid at the same time. 

There are three levels of apprenticeship available at Wirral Council:

1. Apprentice - This option is for those who do not already have a NVQ Level 2 or previous work experience.  No specific qualifications are required as you will work towards a full level 2 apprenticeship (or level 1 where appropriate) including a NVQ, Key Skills and a relevant Technical Certificate.  Your apprenticeship will last for eighteen months, during which you will be paid the national minimum wage.  There may be opportunities for you to apply for jobs or progress onto an advanced apprenticeship after completion of your eighteen month contract.

2. Advanced Apprentice - If you already have some experience in your chosen area of work and have already completed a NVQ level 2, an advanced apprenticeship may be for you.  It works in much the same way as an apprenticeship except you will be working towards a full level 3 apprenticeship including a NVQ, Key Skills and a relevant Technical Certificate.  There may be opportunities for you to progress into full employment and undertake other development activities after completion of your twelve month contract.

3. Apprentice Plus - An Apprentice Plus is a full job which includes apprenticeship training; when a vacancy is classified as ‘Apprentice Plus’ it carries the terms and conditions of the job rather than those of an apprenticeship.  E.g. a Licensing Officer classified as ‘Apprentice Plus’ is advertised as a Licensing Officer and paid a Licensing Officer’s grade.  It may also be permanent rather than a fixed term contract.  Apprentice Plus vacancies require specific previous work experience and may also require some qualifications.  However people will be supported to gain additional appropriate qualifications in line with the Apprentice approach.

How much will I get paid?
Apprentices at Wirral Council are paid the National Minimum Wage.  If you are under 22 years old you will receive £4.83 per hour.  If you are aged 22 or over you will receive £5.80 per hour.

How long does an apprenticeship last?
Apprentices are employed for eighteen months.  This allows time to learn the job and complete the NVQ qualification.  After six months apprentices can apply for internal vacancies within the Council.  Although an apprenticeship does not guarantee you the right to a permanent job it will put you in an ideal position to get one as you will have more work experience and a range of qualifications.  Since 2005, over 80% of the apprentices we recruited obtained permanent jobs.

Don’t I have to be under a certain age?
Apprenticeships are open to people of age 16 or over.  There is no upper age limit.

What type of apprenticeship can I do?
In recent years we have had apprentices in Business Administration, Customer Service, IT and even Animal Care at the Council Kennels.  We are currently expanding apprenticeships into a wider range of job roles which will be advertised as they become available.

How do I apply?
If you have seen a specific apprenticeship vacancy that is currently being advertised, please apply by following the instructions on the advertisement.  If you haven’t seen a vacancy you’d like to apply for yet but you know what type of apprenticeship you want, you can send your CV with a covering letter to organisationaldevelopment@wirral.gov.uk and you will be contacted regarding any vacancies that are advertised in the next three months.  After three months if you have been unable to secure an apprenticeship, you will need to re-submit your CV if you still wish to be considered.

What our Apprentices say

“During my time as an Apprentice, I qualified as the youngest ever European Comuper Driving Licence trainer and invigilator in Europe at the age of 17. This was included in an awards presentation to recognise the IT achievements of all that year’s Modern Apprentices, where I was given an award by the Mayor.  Another highlight was being given leadership over a project within my team which was implemented at over 90 schools on the Wirral.” – Andy

“My apprenticeship has enabled me to secure a job, which is hard in the current financial climate. It has also provided with the skills necessary to carry out my duties, and also gave me more qualifications to put into a CV for a future prospective employer.” – Liam

“I wanted to do my A-levels initially but then when I heard about the apprentice it seemed like the perfect opportunity for me as I wanted more responsibility and experience with in the "real world" to put it simply but still to carry on studying and gaining qualifications so it was perfect for me.” – Lizzie

“It has helped me to take massive steps in my career, I have completed numerous courses (both involving the apprenticeship and involving my job). My customer care skills and interpersonal skills have improved dramatically and I am less shy that I used to be. Also, I have met new people, both work colleagues and fellow students, who I have gone to college with to study for the NVQ’s.  My advice would be to work hard, keep your head focused on what you want to achieve and attend all the courses and training that is available as this will help you progress in your career.” – Chris

“I applied for an apprenticeship because I had just finished two years at college and was unsure about what course to study at University. I knew that Wirral Council was a good place to work with opportunities to progress in my career. The apprenticeship offered me the chance to get experience within the working environment and to also gain a qualification.” – Steph

“The highlight of my career so far is obtaining my current position within Wirral Council as this position enables me to gain qualifications and progress into a more senior role in an area that I enjoy and find very interesting.” – Kat

“I never had any experience and I was finding it difficult to find a job. Also my GCSE results weren’t that good. After looking into the apprenticeships I thought it would be the best idea as you build your knowledge up and gain qualifications” – Louise

“It has built up my confidence as I was a very quiet and shy person who would never of dreamed of being able to get up in front of a group of people and talking to them however, as I have been part of Development Centre Days I have had to get up in front of groups to talk about the exercises they would be doing. It has also helped me to gain different qualifications, make new friends and helped me to decide what I wanted to do with my career. It has also helped me to communicate with people on all levels a lot better.” – Faye

“The most important thing I have learnt is to work hard to achieve what you want in life, and that even if you leave school with not many qualifications, there is still a chance of having a good career.  I am most proud of achieving my ONC in Construction and now working towards my HNC.  In two years time I hope to have began my degree in Building Surveying.  I have been in a permanent job for nearly 4 years working in Building Control Admin.” – Emily

“I see my self in two years time hopefully, doing my NVQ 3 in Customer Care or in progressing in a good admin/ phone job, which uses my interpersonal skills and assisting different people. In addition, being very passionate and proud of my job.” – Anne

“A highlight has been the friendships I have made along the way, and the valuable advice and experience I have gained.” – Kathryn