Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an apprenticeship?
2. What apprenticeships are offered by Devon County Council?
3. What does the Devon County Council apprenticeship scheme involve?
4. What support is available to me?
5. What departments have offered Apprentice placements in the past?
6. What type of work could I be involved in?
7. What have the current apprentices achieved so far?
8. What do the current apprentices think of the scheme?
9. How do I apply?
10. Who can I contact if I have any questions?

1. What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship gives you the chance to earn while you learn. They are work-based training programmes where you can earn wages, gain new qualifications and knowledge, and learn key skills.

Devon County Council’s apprenticeship programme was introduced in October 2006 as one of DCC’s entry to work initiatives. It provides apprentices with the opportunity to develop skills, gain national vocational qualifications and secure permanent employment within the County Council.

2. What apprenticeships are offered by Devon County Council?

Devon County Council currently offers apprenticeships in the following areas:

• Business and Administration
• Customer Service
• IT
• Civil Engineering

3. What does the Devon County Council apprenticeship scheme involve?

The apprentices have 2 years to complete their qualifications (including NVQ, key skills and technical certificate) and secure a permanent role with the County Council. Each apprentice undertakes the following:

• Induction
• Qualification training days
• Team challenge event
• Interview techniques training
• Any additional training identified by the Directorate

4. What support is available to me?

Apprentices are provided with the following support throughout their two year programme:

• Day to day support from colleagues, line manager and assessor
• NVQ support from assessor and line manager
• Technical Certificate and Key Skills support from trainer, assessor and line manager
• Support from current and previous apprentices
• Support when applying for permanent positions within the Council

5. What departments have offered Apprentice placements in the past?

Our apprentices have each had the opportunity to work in a variety of different areas including:

• Customer Service Centre
• Early Years and Childcare Service
• Environment Economy and Culture Directorate Support
• Finance
• Highway Management and Engineering Design Group
• Procurement Services
• Recruitment Services
• ICT Technical Network Team
• Web Team
• Youth Service

6. What type of work could I be involved in?

The type of work you may be involved in depends on the placement and the specific duties of that team. The apprentices so far have undertaken various tasks, for example:-

• Assisting with projects
• Providing admin support to the team e.g. typing, filing, photocopying
• Reception
• Attending careers fairs
• Dealing with customer enquires in writing, by email and over the phone
• Using computer software packages e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint, as well as specialist packages
• Finance tasks, including invoicing and budget monitoring
• Assisting with the design and creation of webpages

7. What have the current apprentices achieved so far?

Our apprentices so far have been involved in a number of schemes and projects, and have positively impacted upon the Council. Examples of what has been achieved so far include:

• The design of the County Council’s Young People’s web pages, which has received positive endorsement from DCC’s web team, Connexions and other partner agencies.
• The groups have undertaken volunteering team challenges at Ladysmith Infant School in Exeter where they painted a jungle scene in one of the children’s cloakrooms, Willowbrook School in Exeter where they created a mosaic of the schools logo and Wynstream School in Exeter where they created a sensory garden.
• All six apprentices who completed the two year scheme in October 2008 and all seven who completed in 2009 secured permanent employment within the Council.
• Two apprentices represented Devon County Council as part of a team that competed at the "Young Local Authority of the year Challenge" in February 2008 at Bournemouth. One apprentice represented the Council at the 2009 "Young Local Authority of the year Challenge".
• The Apprenticeship scheme won the DCC Equalities Best Practice Award 07/08, for its positive action in the recruitment and retention of young people within DCC.
• The Apprentices were also nominated for the Devon Young People's Achievement Awards 2008.
• Two apprentices were nominated for the national Apprentice of the Year Award 2008 and one apprentice won the Apprentice category in the ICT Sector Skills National Apprenticeship Awards 2008.
• One apprentice attended the Area of European Regions Summer School in Sweden in 2008 and two apprentices attended the summer school in Spain in 2009.

8. What do the current apprentices think of the scheme?

“The scheme is a great way to earn while you are learning. I would recommend it to anyone.”

“Before joining the scheme I thought DCC would be stuffy, bureaucratic and old. I had no idea what opportunities existed within the Council, or what services they provided. My views have certainly changed since becoming an apprentice. I now have a better understanding of the valuable contribution Devon County Council makes to local communities and I feel a part of this.”

“I felt the recruitment and induction was very effective in the way it was carried out, and gave us chance to get a better understanding of Devon County Council as a whole.”

“DCC staff members have been very friendly and have made me feel very welcome.”

“Before joining the scheme I thought I might only be learning very basic tasks, but have been surprised at the variety of work and responsibilities I have been given. The amount of courses, sessions and opportunities that are available for training is also astonishing. More than I expected and great for my development.”

“I think the apprentice program is a great idea which is run very well. It has given people like me a real good start and chance in life.”

"I have found the apprenticeship scheme to be the perfect opportunity for me to work in a professional environment and further my qualifications, whilst being paid. There are also great prospects for me to further my qualifications and secure permanent employment."

"I believe I have made an impact to this organisation at the Customer Service Centre. I wish to progress and make the most of this fantastic opportunity"

9. How do I apply?

The Business Admin, Customer Service and ICT apprenticeship scheme is advertised from June/July each year through Connexions and on the DCC jobs website (www.devonjobs.gov.uk). Full details about the scheme and application process will be available from that date. The recruitment process takes place at the end of August / beginning of September with the apprentices starting employment by October.

The Civil Engineering apprenticeship scheme is advertised from February on the DCC jobs website (www.devonjobs.gov.uk), with the recruitment process taking place in April.

10. Who can I contact if I have any questions?

If you have any questions or would like further information on the apprenticeship scheme, please contact Tracey Holding on 01392 383362 or email strategicrecruitment@devon.gov.uk.