Applications Support Apprentice

Sunderland City Council

Sunderland (SR1 3AA)

Closes in 6 days (Sunday 16 August 2026)

Posted on 5 August 2026

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Summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic Applications Support Apprentice to join our Data, Digital, Development and Systems Team within IT Service.

This is an exciting opportunity to earn while you learn, gain real workplace experience and work towards the Level 4 Applications Support Lead Apprenticeship.

• Wage:

  £25,949 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Grade 2 (SCP 5–6) £25,949 - £25,989 (incremental increases)

• Training course: Applications support lead (level 4)
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm but with a flexible working arrangement

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Thursday 1 October 2026

• Duration:

  2 years 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

As an Apprentice, you will work within the Data, Digital, Development and Systems Team. This is a learning and development role designed to give the post holder broad experience of application support across social care and education.

Working under the guidance of the Systems Analysts, you will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the Level 4 Applications Support  Apprenticeship while contributing to real systems administration and configuration activities work across the organisation.

You will:

• Support the provision of systems administration for social care and education business applications, investigating and resolving incidents, service requests and technical issues
• Work with colleagues and suppliers to troubleshoot software, hardware and integration issues
• Develop skills in supporting the implementation of application upgrades, patches, fixes and new technologies
• Maintain system documentation, user guides, procedures and knowledge base articles
• Support colleagues in the use of the applications through guidance, documentation and advice
• Participate in transformation activities and continuous improvement activities
• Maintain accurate records of work undertaken using ICT service desk management tools
• Adhere to local procedures, particularly those relating to information governance, data protection, data quality, security and responsible use of data

Where you'll work

City Hall
Plater Way
Sunderland
SR1 3AA

Training

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

Training provider

GATESHEAD COLLEGE

Training course

Applications support lead (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• use data systems securely to meet requirements and in line with organisational procedures and legislation, including principles of Privacy by Design
• implement the stages of the application lifecycle ensuring that principles of usability and accessibility are embedded in the approach at every stage
• assess the impact on user experience and domain context on the data analysis activity
• communicate verbally and non-verbally to a range of internal and external stakeholders using a range of technical and non-technical language to provide an effective interface between internal or external users and suppliers
• take a ‘customer focused’ approach to service delivery, underpinned by active listening
• adapt to changing contexts within the scope of a project and continually review project output to ensure alignment with customer and organisational needs for example within a DevOps environment
• collate and interpret data and convert into useable formats such as infographics, reports, tables, dashboards or graphs
• select and apply the most appropriate data tools to deliver application support outcomes
• use manual or automated test tools
• adapt and apply testing activities according to industry standard development methodologies (sequential and iterative) including maintenance of clear supporting documentation
• apply specific industry standards where appropriate (for example GDPR, health informatics and safety critical) related to software testing
• use formal and informal techniques that will demonstrate software and systems are fit for purpose
• use relevant training methods to support internal and external stakeholders with core software applications and hardware ensuring that principles of usability and accessibility are embedded in the approach
• communicate applications support information by ensuring continuity of user understanding through use of training notes, user guides and other collateral sources
• use data systems securely to meet requirements and in line with organisational procedures and legislation, including principles of Privacy by Design
• implement the stages of the application lifecycle ensuring that principles of usability and accessibility are embedded in the approach at every stage
• assess the impact on user experience and domain context on the data analysis activity
• communicate verbally and non-verbally to a range of internal and external stakeholders using a range of technical and non-technical language to provide an effective interface between internal or external users and suppliers
• take a ‘customer focused’ approach to service delivery, underpinned by active listening
• adapt to changing contexts within the scope of a project and continually review project output to ensure alignment with customer and organisational needs for example within a DevOps environment
• collate and interpret data and convert into useable formats such as infographics, reports, tables, dashboards or graphs
• select and apply the most appropriate data tools to deliver application support outcomes
• use manual or automated test tools
• adapt and apply testing activities according to industry standard development methodologies (sequential and iterative) including maintenance of clear supporting documentation
• apply specific industry standards where appropriate (for example GDPR, health informatics and safety critical) related to software testing
• use formal and informal techniques that will demonstrate software and systems are fit for purpose
• use relevant training methods to support internal and external stakeholders with core software applications and hardware ensuring that principles of usability and accessibility are embedded in the approach
• communicate applications support information by ensuring continuity of user understanding through use of training notes, user guides and other collateral sources

Training schedule

The training will be carried out once per week at Gateshead College

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 9-4)
• IT (grade 9-4)
• Maths (grade 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
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Time management skills

Other requirements

• Must be 16 or over at the start of the apprenticeship
• Not in full-time education
• Be a UK citizen or have proof of right to work in the UK
• Have lived in the UK/EEA for the last 3 years or more
• Must have the legal right to work in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship

About this employer

Sunderland is a fantastic, forward-looking, ambitious city undergoing significant transformation and economic regeneration. From the seafront and the city centre, to building locations of national strategic significance, we are creating the very best conditions for our 280,000 residents who live here and those who come to the city to work.

We provide a huge variety of services across the city, currently employing approximately 2,500 people in many roles ranging from gardeners to building maintenance technicians, ICT experts to social workers and many more. At all levels we work together to achieve real change across the city.

Sunderland is one of the few cities in the UK to be situated on the coast, whilst benefitting from easy access to the countryside, a short drive from two international airports, direct rail access to London and less than a twenty-minute drive from Durham and Newcastle.

We have a growing cultural scene. Sunderland Empire theatre attracts high-profile West End productions, and the Fire Station is Sunderland’s premier live music and performance venue. Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens and Northern Gallery of Contemporary Art are all close to the city centre.

Sunderland is a great place to work. Wherever you’re coming from, you’ll discover a place – and people – that will make you feel at home.

 

Company benefits

• Access to LG Pension Scheme
• 26 days leave + bank hols
• Statutory & organisational sick pay
• 3 days paid leave per year for voluntary work
• Employee wellbeing support
• Discounted public transport travel pass

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

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

• Business Services Systems Analyst

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Sunderland City Council

Catherine Ross, Product Lead: Social Care and Education Systems

catherine.ross@sunderland.gov.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046560.

Apply now

Closes in 6 days (Sunday 16 August 2026)

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