Apprentice (Member Services)

Durham County Council

Durham (DH1 5TS)

Closes on Monday 6 April 2026

Posted on 25 February 2026

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Summary

The post holder will work as part of a team to provide comprehensive support for Members of the Council and contribute to the efficient provision of the services provided by the Member Services Team.

• Wage:

  £14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 5.00pm, but the flexible working policy is relevant to this role and a new hybrid way of working is in place.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 7 September 2026

• Duration:

  2 years

• 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

• Learn how to act as a contact for those wishing to communicate with Members of the Council including officers and the public
• To help make arrangements for Members’ attendance at conferences, seminars and other official engagements
• Be able to deal with Members’ enquiries and casework, including background research, contact with nominated officers and initiating correspondence
• Monitoring casework response and chasing outstanding issues on behalf of Members
• Assist Members to manage their web pages and to ensure that information published on Members Web Pages is current and that enquiries received through the pages are dealt with in a timely manner
• Learn how to organise and service Members surgeries including taking forward generated actions
• To develop and maintain appropriate office systems as may be required by the Member Support Function
• To seek advice for members on the criteria, suitability, and content of submission of fund applications
• Dealing with Member requests for support/tools for their role including IT / phones / accommodation

Where you'll work

Rivergreen Centre
Aykley Heads
Durham
DH1 5TS

Training

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

Training provider

COUNTY DURHAM 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

To study and achieve the Business Administrator Level 3 during the duration of the apprenticeship

Requirements

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
• Problem solving skills
• Team working

About this employer

Durham County Council is the largest council in the North East, we employ over 16,000 people and have a budget of around £1.3 billion which helps us provide services for more than 513,000 people. We are a forward-looking council and recognise that we need passionate people who share our enthusiasm to deliver fantastic services to the people of County Durham.

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

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

• We are unable to guarantee a job role on completion of the apprenticeship but if the applicant shows the appropriate level of competency and commitment progression opportunities will be available

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Durham County Council

Rachel Parker

rachel.parker@durham.gov.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000017718.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 6 April 2026

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.