Two new apprenticeship roles are coming up at Dover District Council (DDC) giving people the chance to earn as they learn.
The exciting announcement marks the start of National Apprenticeship Week (February 5-11), which celebrates the positive impact apprenticeships have on individuals and organisations, such as DDC.
Since 2012, the council has offered a range of apprenticeships, graduate placements and work experience, and in 2018 launched its higher level apprenticeships which are at degree level.
Dover Museum assistant Kayleigh Steele, who was a former DDC apprentice, and current Dover Museum apprentice Lizzy Sharpe
Now, the council is getting ready to open the application process for two new higher level apprentice roles, expected to be in quantity surveying and building surveying. The apprentices will work as part of the Property Assets team.
The application process is due to open in the spring with the positions starting in September. DDC has apprentices working across its different service areas and there have been plenty of success stories.
( L-R) Elliott Allen, Community Safety and Development Team Leader, was an apprentice from 2015-2017; Community Support apprentice Freya Donovan; HR and Health & Safety apprentice Rhianna Overall; and Housing Policy apprentice Tom vanDijk.
Freya Donovan, Community Support Apprentice, has recently been awarded a distinction in Business and Communications (Level 3 City & Guilds). She started her apprenticeship at DDC in 2022.
“I saw an apprenticeship as an opportunity to earn whilst learning, get a qualification and potentially secure a job,” she said.
“It has improved my confidence by pushing me out of my comfort zone to learn new things and given me experience in different areas.
“To anyone thinking of doing an apprenticeship I’d say give it a go as it’s an opportunity to learn on the job.”
Abigail Willcox is a trainee planner, undertaking a Level 7 Chartered Town Planner apprenticeship at DDC.
She said:
“As a mum of two, this apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to gain an income whilst studying and pursuing a career, as well as being available for my family
“The skills gained as well as the qualification received through this apprenticeship are vital to my goal of becoming a planner.
“The apprenticeship opens up opportunities to develop within planning as well as providing me with the tools to understand the planning process in its entirety.”
Kayleigh Steele became an apprentice at DDC after graduating from the University of Kent with a degree in Ancient History. After completing the apprenticeship, she secured a role as Museum Assistant at Dover Museum.
She said:
“The ultimate appeal of the apprenticeship was it was a foot in the door in a sector I wanted to work in. I liked the environment and supportive team, and the DDC apprenticeship pays above the minimum apprenticeship wage over other companies.
“I have gained an enormous amount of skills specific to the sector, but also as a whole and the apprenticeship was crucial in my career development.
“Apprenticeships are an excellent way of gaining knowledge and experience in the field whilst getting paid at the same time.”
Cllr Pamela Brivio, cabinet member for housing, skills and education, said:
“Apprenticeships provide the opportunity to combine real work with study, meaning hands on experience while earning a salary and gaining qualifications.
“We have seen apprentices at DDC thrive and grow in confidence with many taking on roles within the council on completion of their apprenticeships.”
More details:
Sign up to https://www.dover.gov.uk/Job-Vacancies/Job-vacancies.aspx for alerts on job opportunities, including the apprenticeship roles.
Apprentices typically work four days a week and do a day’s study. DDC offers different levels, from Level 2 and 3, equal to GCSEs and A-Levels respectively, to Level 6/7 which can lead to either a full bachelors or masters degree.