GLOUCESTER CITY COUNCIL APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME 2014

Thankyou for your interest in the Apprenticeship Scheme at Gloucester City Council.

We have a number of Business & Administration Apprenticeship vacancies at NVQ level 2 or 3; Technical and Functional Skills Certificates are also included, where appropriate.

Apprentices are based within Gloucester City Council in various departments including Neighbourhood Services, Housing, Customer Services, Cultural Services, Human Resources, Financial Services and Business Improvement. Your placement will involve a variety of office-based tasks including manual and computerised filing, collating information, taking telephone calls and messages, scanning and photocopying, producing documents and sending emails. There may also be the opportunities for other practical and project-based activities. You will work with people of all ages and backgrounds and deal with a wide variety of customers, both internal and external.

You will be fully supported throughout your programme by your workplace mentor who will provide much of your training in the workplace. This will involve shadowing colleagues and acquiring the practical skills, knowledge and understanding needed in a busy working environment. You will also complete a variety of training programmes such as health and safety, equal opportunities, telephone skills, letter writing and email etiquette, time management, CV writing and job interview techniques and assertiveness skills.

In addition, you will work towards a Business and Administration NVQ at level 2 or 3 and Technical Certificate. Functional Skills in English, Maths and ICT will also be included if required, dependent on existing GCSE and A level results. An external assessor will be assigned to you for this part of the programme and will work with you to ensure that you get the most out of the options and meet the standards required.

In return you will need to demonstrate the following :

Ability to use IT systems, including Word and Excel Good communication skills, in writing, in person and on the telephone Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines A willingness to learn and to commit to a mixture of work experience and

qualifications A good level of literacy and numeracy A positive attitude and enthusiastic approach Reliable and motivated Good attendance and punctuality Ability to use your own initiative

If you think that you have all of the skills, qualifications and qualities required and would like to participate in this exciting opportunity please read the job description and person specification below, complete the application form and return it to us straightaway.

DIRECTORATE : Resources

SECTION : Various

JOB TITLE : Business Administration Apprentice

GRADE : £100 per week

REPORTS TO : Designated mentor

JOB PURPOSE:

To learn how to provide administrative support to a team.

This role incorporates study and completion of the NVQ level 2 or 3 in Business Administration whilst working in a specific department during the one year fixed term placement.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

GENERAL INFORMATION Localised variations to this job description may occur dependent upon the specific placements undertaken. DUTIES 1.       To provide a range of clerical duties including photocopying, sending

faxes, filing, message taking, sorting and distributing post etc 2.       To respond to routine correspondence and enquiries from members of the

public, suppliers, and other staff 3.       To deal with all customer contact effectively, and courteously, in line with the

Council’s policies and procedures 

Job Description

4.       To maintain manual and computerised systems including inputting data, keeping records, statistics, confidential and general filing systems as directed

5.       To organise meetings and events, ensuring that all necessary arrangements are made

6. To learn how to minute, produce and distribute accurate records of meetings 7.      To contribute to corporate initiatives and participate in any relevant local projects

or activities as appropriate 8.       To study towards and complete the NVQ level 2 or 3 in Business Administration

9. Apply and actively promote the principles of the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in all areas of employment and service delivery

  10.  Any other appropriate duties under the direction of the designated line manager

for the placement, applicable to the grade and qualifications of the post. 

HEAD OF SERVICE’S SIGNATURE POSTHOLDER RECEIVED

DATE APPROVED DATE EFFECTIVE

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION APPRENTICE

SPECIAL ABILITIES/COMPETENCES

1. Good communication and interpersonal skills to effectively deal with a wide range of customers, contractors and other members of staff

2. An understanding of the need to deal with customers sensitively and to keep information confidential

3. Good IT skills with a knowledge of a range of different computer packages e.g. Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc

4. A willingness to learn new skills and systems

5. Able to work to tight timescales and demonstrate attention to detail

6. Able to organise own workload and to take on individual project work

7. Able to work individually and as an effective team member

8. Able to demonstrate initiative

9. Demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to all aspects of the programme and to participate fully in a personal training plan

10.A track record of high levels of attendance and punctuality

11. An awareness of Equal Opportunities in the workplace

12. An awareness of own and others’ Health and Safety

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

13. GCSEs A-C including Maths and English (or equivalent) or willingness to undertake a Functional Skills qualification (English, Maths and ICT)

14. A willingness to undertake an appropriate course of study and a willingness to work hard towards achieving a successful outcome.

APPLICATION FOR A PLACEMENT AS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION APPRENTICE

PLEASE COMPLETE ALL SECTIONS

PERSONAL DETAILS (Please use block capitals)

Last name/Surname: ……………………………………….. First name(s): ………………………………

Address:………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………… Post Code: ………………………………….

Telephone number (if any): …………………………… Email: …………………………………………….

Age: ………………………… Date of birth: Male Female

National Insurance Number: ……………………………………………

EDUCATION

Name of school/college attended: ………………………………………………………………………….

Address of school/college: ………………………………………………………………………………….

Date left: ………………………………………………….

Give details of any GCSE/NVQ examinations etc., which you have either already taken or are about to take, and the grades obtained if known:

Subject Qualifications(GCSE, NVQ etc)

Grade(if known)

Date Awarded

Give details of membership of school/college societies, clubs and teams:

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At school/college what subjects did you enjoy and why?

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INTERESTS

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

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EMPLOYMENT

Give details of any jobs (part-time, week-end, work experience/voluntary work) you have done?

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What sort of training or work do you think you would like to do?

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Why do you think you might enjoy this sort of training or work?

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Why do you want to be an apprentice with Gloucester City Council?

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INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF YOUR APPLICATION Use this space to give as much information that you can relating to the criteria listed in the Person

Specification. We are looking for specific examples for each criteria. Use any examples of things you have achieved,

from being part of a team, to organising an event. This may be related to work, school, home life or social life.

Please do not attach a C.V.

MONITORING INFORMATION

Disability Do you consider you have a disability which affects your ability to do normal daily tasks and

which is likely to last for one year or more? Yes No

Do you need any arrangements made for the interview e.g. parking, access, sign interpreter, taping of documents?Please specify …………………………………………………………………………………………………..

ETHNIC ORIGIN (Please tick the box which most appropriately describes your ethnic origin)

White UK Indian

White – Other Please specify ………………….. Pakistani

Black Caribbean Bangladeshi

Black African Chinese

Black – Other Please specify ………………….. Irish

Other Please specify …………………..

REFERENCES

Please give names and addresses of two persons, one of which should be the head teacher of your last school/college or employer if applicable to whom the Council may write for a reference.

1. ………………………………………………….... 2.………………………………………..

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Are you related to any member or officer of the City Council? Yes No

If “Yes” give the name of the person(s) ……………………………………………………………………….

REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT 1974

Have you any convictions that are not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act?Yes No

If “Yes” please give details:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Signature: …………………………………………………………. Date: …………………………

Canvassing will disqualify. False information, knowingly given, will disqualify.

Completed application forms to be returned to:

Jo Hawkins, HR Advisor, Human Resources, Gloucester City Council, Herbert Warehouse

The Docks, Gloucester, GL1 2EQ