Apprentice Town Clerk

Soham Town Council

ELY (CB7 5ED)

Closes in 27 days (Wednesday 26 August 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 30 July 2026

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Summary

Kick-start your career in local government with this exciting Apprentice Town Clerk opportunity. Gain nationally recognised qualifications while earning a salary and developing valuable skills in administration, finance, governance and community engagement, helping to make a real difference to your local community.

Wage

£12,480 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

An annual increase is usually awarded within the local government sector.  Other rises through the pay scales are dependant on performance.

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, flexible hours, may work evenings.

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 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

Administration:

  • Provide administrative support to the Town Clerk, Assistant Town Clerk and Council
  • Respond to telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries from residents, councillors and stakeholders
  • Maintain accurate filing systems, both electronic and paper based
  • Prepare correspondence, reports, agendas and other council documentation
  • Manage incoming and outgoing mail
  • Maintain council records in accordance with data protection legislation

Democratic Services and Governance:

  • Assist with the preparation and distribution of agendas and supporting papers
  • Attend council and committee meetings as required
  • Produce draft minutes for review by the Town Clerk
  • Learn and apply legislation governing local councils, including governance and decision-making procedures
  • Support compliance with the Council's Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and Code of Conduct

Finance:

  • Assist with routine financial administration
  • Process invoices, purchase orders and payments under supervision
  • Help maintain financial records and reconcile transactions
  • Support budget monitoring and financial reporting
  • Learn the principles of local government finance and audit requirements

Customer and Community Services:

  • Provide excellent customer service to members of the public
  • Support community events and civic activities
  • Assist with consultations and public engagement initiatives
  • Work collaboratively with local organisations, volunteers and partner agencies

Projects:

  • Assist with the planning and delivery of council projects
  • Conduct research and prepare briefing information
  • Help monitor project progress and outcomes
  • Support grant administration where applicable

Compliance:

  • Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately
  • Comply with health and safety policies

Support compliance with:

  • Local Government legislation
  • Data Protection legislation
  • Freedom of Information requirements
  • Equality legislation
  • Financial Regulations
  • Council policies and procedures

General Duties:

  • Demonstrate professionalism and integrity at all times
  • Promote equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Undertake any other duties appropriate to the level of the post

Special Project:

  • To update the electronic cemetery records will all information including photographs taken at the cemetery to show the condition of each memorial. This may include updating the online searchable records
  • To update the electronic allotment holder records and re-plot the allotment sites in liaison with the Assistant Clerk and grounds staff

Where you'll work

THE WALTER GIDNEY PAVILION
FOUNTAIN LANE
SOHAM
ELY
CB7 5ED

Training

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

Training provider

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

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

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

More training information

We regularly have training opportunities from our Local Government Bodies - the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC). Both provide training on a range of subjects, including local government legislation, finance, the role of a local council and councillors and on the role of a Town or Parish Clerk.

In addition, we attend meetings of the SLCC and NALC for updates on matters affecting the local council sector as they arise. We also have access to in-house Health & Safety training. Looking further ahead, an apprentice could go on to complete the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) which qualifies them as a Clerk. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade Grade 4/C and above)
  • Maths (grade Grade 4/C and above)

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
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Patience

Other requirements

The job will inevitably involve responding to complaints from members of the public if answering the telephone or manning the office reception. However, this would only ever be with the support of the Town Clerk or Assistant Clerk.

About this employer

The Town Council works at the very heart of the local community, supporting the democratic process, looking after public assets, and facilitating community events that make the town thrive. Unlike high-level principal authorities (like County or Unitary councils), a Town Council is the tier of local government closest to the people, dealing directly with residents' everyday lives.  Working for the Town Council means you are working to directly benefit and enhance the lives of the people who reside in the parish.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Once the Business Administration apprenticeship is complete, the career progression within the sector is to complete CiLCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration) which is the basic qualification needed for most Clerk positions. From there, you can also go on to do BA (Hons) Degree in Community Governance but this is not a requirement of the role.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000043996.

Apply now

Closes in 27 days (Wednesday 26 August 2026 at 11:59pm)