Waste Contracts Apprentice

Buckinghamshire County Council

Aylesbury (HP20 1UD)

Closes in 28 days (Tuesday 13 January 2026)

Posted on 16 December 2025

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Summary

We’re looking for someone who is energetic and has attention for detail to join our Waste Contracts Team in Neighbourhood Services. You’ll combine work-based training alongside working towards achieving a level 3 apprenticeship in Business Administration, which will help you towards a career in the field of waste management. 

Wage

£14,566 a year

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Your initial apprentice salary will be £14,566 p.a for your first year and will go up to National Minimum Wage if you are 19+ when you start the 2nd year of your apprenticeship.

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
This is a full time position working a 37 hour week Monday to Friday.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 2 February 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

In this role, you’ll be working closely with other members of the Strategic Waste Management and Enforcement team, with a particular focus on the day-to-day management of the key Council waste contracts. Your work activities will focus on some of the following key areas:

  • Waste contract monitoring
  • Site inspections
  • Waste data recording and reporting, including the use of the Council’s Waste Data Management System and Waste Data Flow.

The site inspections will be undertaken with the Waste Contract Officers and will require regular travelling to the following locations:

  • The 10 household recycling centres
  • The High Heavens waste complex
  • The energy from the waste facility
  • Waste audits at any one of 30+ waste end destination points
  • Closed landfill sites.

The role will help support the wider team whilst giving you exposure to how the waste service operates. Whilst the role will focus on the day-to-day management of waste contracts, it will also include gaining knowledge of procuring new waste service contracts, the delivery of waste capital schemes/infrastructure projects and communication/behaviour change campaigns.

Where you'll work

County Hall
Walton Street
Aylesbury
HP20 1UD

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
  • Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
  • Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
  • Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
  • Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
  • Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
  • Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
  • Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Training schedule

Alongside your day-to-day role, you will study to achieve the Level 3 apprenticeship throughout the duration of your time with us. For this, we’ll give you time off during your working week for study and assessments, which means no evening or weekend study is required.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade A*-C / 9-4)
  • maths (grade A*-C / 9-4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Administrative skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative

Other requirements

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

  • All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) on our website.

About this employer

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

http://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Paid holiday package
  • Pension scheme
  • 50% off of Arriva bus travel
  • A range of restaurant, shop & gym discounts
  • You can apply for a TOTEM Card (formerly called the NUS Extra card)

After this apprenticeship

We cannot guarantee a permanent position following completion of the apprenticeship; however, this is a great opportunity to develop knowledge of the waste management field of work, which continues to grow, whether working in the public or private sector.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000005397.

Apply now

Closes in 28 days (Tuesday 13 January 2026)

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