Customer Service Apprentice (Electoral Services)

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Oldbury (B69 3DB)

Closes in 16 days (Sunday 8 November 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 22 October 2026

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Summary

An exciting opportunity to join Sandwell Council's Electoral Services Team as an Apprentice Customer Service Assistant. You will provide high-quality customer service to residents and colleagues while supporting the administration and delivery of electoral services across the borough.

Wage

£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Customer service practitioner (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 December 2026

Duration

1 year 3 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 in the Electoral Services Team, you will learn how to:

  • Provide excellent customer service to residents, customers and colleagues via telephone, email, written correspondence and face-to-face contact.
  • Respond to enquiries professionally, accurately and efficiently.
  • Support the Electoral Services Team with the administration of electoral registration and elections.
  • Assist with preparing electoral communications and information for customers.
  • Carry out a range of administrative duties including data entry, filing, scanning, photocopying, scheduling meetings and managing incoming and outgoing correspondence.
  • Maintain accurate records, databases and spreadsheets.
  • Assist with the processing of orders, invoices and other financial administration tasks.
  • Use a variety of IT systems and Microsoft Office applications.
  • Support the team during busy election periods, including occasional evening work where required.
  • Work safely, professionally and in accordance with Council policies and procedures.
  • Take responsibility for your own development and successfully complete the required apprenticeship training.
  • Contribute positively as a member of a supportive team.

Where you'll work

Freeth Street
Oldbury
B69 3DB

Training

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

Training provider

SANDWELL COLLEGE

Training course

Customer service practitioner (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Use a range of questioning skills, including listening and responding in a way that builds rapport, determines customer needs and expectations and achieves positive engagement and delivery.
  • Depending on your job role and work environment: Use appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills, along with summarising language during face-to-face communications; and/or
  • Depending on your job role and work environment: Use appropriate communication skills, along with reinforcement techniques (to confirm understanding) during non-facing customer interactions.
  • Depending on your job role and work environment: Use an appropriate ‘tone of voice’ in all communications, including written and digital, that reflect the organisation’s brand.
  • Provide clear explanations and offer options in order to help customers make choices that are mutually beneficial to both the customer and your organisation.
  • Be able to organise yourself, prioritise your own workload/activity and work to meet deadlines.
  • Demonstrate patience and calmness.
  • Show you understand the customer’s point of view.
  • Use appropriate sign-posting or resolution to meet your customers needs and manage expectations.
  • Maintain informative communication during service recovery.

Training schedule

Customer Service Practitioner Level 2.

The apprenticeship training will be delivered in the workplace, and you will receive visits from a college assessor. The apprenticeship will also include off-the-job Training and a robust programme of Mandatory Apprentice Training provided by Sandwell Council to include Fire Awareness, Prevent, Safeguarding, Data Protection & Cyber Security and Equality & Diversity.

Off-the-job training will follow the time allocations outlined in the Occupational Standard.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English Language (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
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • Maintain confidentiality
  • Data Protection
  • Flexible attitude
  • Able to prioritise
  • Willingness to learn
  • Reliable
  • Time management

Other requirements

  • Proof of qualification certificates will be required during the recruitment process.
  • This can be a demanding yet rewarding role, particularly during busy election periods when deadlines are critical.
  • The successful applicant will regularly handle sensitive and confidential information and must maintain high standards of data security and confidentiality.
  • Occasional evening work may be required to support election-related activities.
  • Travel to various locations within the borough may occasionally be required.
  • We reserve the right to close vacancies prior to their advertised date, if we receive a large number of applications. Therefore, you are strongly advised to complete and return your application as soon as possible.

About this employer

Sandwell is a large, multicultural metropolitan borough situated in the heart of the Black Country, to the west of Birmingham, within the West Midlands conurbation and with a population of over 280,000. The Council is one of the largest employers in the Borough with employees in a variety of occupations, providing a comprehensive range of services. Find out more information on Sandwell’s Values and Behaviours on the council’s webpage. For more information on careers in local government you can view a copy of the Local Government Career Guide.

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

After this apprenticeship

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

This apprenticeship is a fixed term 15-month contract. However, the skills, knowledge and experience gained in this apprenticeship will allow you to gain future opportunities in the sector.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SANDWELL COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000060548.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Sunday 8 November 2026 at 11:59pm)