Apply for an apprenticeship

Earn while you learn

The Royal Borough of Kingston is proud to offer a wide range of apprenticeship schemes for anyone aged 16 and over and not in full time education. Apprentices with Kingston will combine full-time work and simultaneously study for a nationally recognised qualification under the management and guidance of experienced staff. The work based qualification can range from GCSE or equivalent to degree level. This is an ideal opportunity for those leaving education or seeking to start a career in a new field and gain new experience.

We can promise

• you will benefit from on the job learning and development, gaining invaluable experience and picking up practical knowledge in the workplace in order to add to your skill set and support your next career move.
• the end of your apprenticeship will act as a stepping stone into the jobs market making you stand out more to potential employers and best of all, avoiding the ever-increasing student debts many young people face today.
• increased opportunities to continue your career within the council with the opportunity to work your way up towards more senior positions, benefiting from competitive wages.
• working for a leading Local Authority within the South London Partnership collaboration.

You can apply to be an apprentice for Royal Borough of Kingston if you:

• are aged 16 or over and not in full time education
• are a UK resident
• are an enthusiastic, determined and motivated individual with a desire to work and learn.
• are willing to work full time and allocate one day per week for study towards one of the four types of apprenticeships which can take between one to four years to complete (depending on the level)

Types of apprenticeship we offer

• Intermediate Level - this is equivalent to five GCSE's. You will work towards relevant work-based learning qualifications and will lead to a Level 2 qualification.
• Advanced Level - this is equivalent to two A Levels. Similar to the work based learning for Intermediate apprentices but on a Level 3 competence.
• Higher Level 4 and 5 - equivalent to HNC, HND of Foundation Degree level.
• Higher Level 6 and 7 - this is equivalent to a Bachelors and Masters Degree level.

Your qualification at the end of your apprenticeship will include a competencies qualification, a technical knowledge certificate and either key skills or functional skills if required.

Apprenticeship benefits at Kingston Council

• a starting salary of £20,743 p.a
• 23 days paid annual leave
• concessionary holiday
• training and development
• gain qualifications
• childcare vouchers
• cycle to work scheme
• interest free season ticket loans

Which areas can you work as an apprentice in Kingston Council?

• business administration and office work
• human resources
• ICT
• youth engagement
• customer services
• environmental and leisure works
• adult social care and elderly care
• young people's learning and education services
• housing
• finance

How to apply

Please visit the jobs section of our website to apply for an apprenticeship.

Public sector target for apprenticeships in England

The council has for many years invested in a successful apprenticeship programme, and is committed to recruiting and developing apprentices as a means of providing high quality training opportunities both for new starters and for our existing workforce.

As part of our statutory requirements we must report on our progress in meeting the public sector apprenticeship target. The target is for new apprenticeship starts, which includes both newly employed apprentices and any existing employees that have begun an apprenticeship. Each local authority’s target is based on the headcount of their organisation (not FTE), and will include community and voluntary controlled schools, and other services where the local authority is the employer.  The legislation that introduced the target is clear that public bodies in scope should ‘have regard to’ it, however there are currently no sanctions in place for any public body that fails to meet its target.

Data submitted to the Department of Education for 2017 to 2018 financial year

• Number of employees (headcount) at 31 March 2017: 1,929

• Number of apprentices as at 31 March 2017: 10

• Number of employees whose employment started between 1st April and 31st March 2018: 562

• Number of apprenticeship starts between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2018: 8

• Number of employees (headcount) as at 31 March 2018: 1813

• Number of apprentices as at 31 March 2018: 8

Get more information about apprenticeships

Further information can be found on the National Apprenticeships website.