Environmental Services Apprentice
Harborough District Council
Leicestershire (LE16 7AG)
Closes in 18 days (Friday 27 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 9 November 2026
Contents
Summary
The Environmental Services team delivers a wide range of essential services, including waste collections, grounds maintenance, environmental crime enforcement, and community safety initiatives. This is an exciting opportunity to join a team committed to making Harborough District a cleaner, safer and enjoyable place to live, work, and visit.
- Wage
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£25,024 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Salaries are reviewed and increased annually in line with the local government pay settlement.
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
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Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 4.00pm or 9.00am - 5.00pm.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
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Monday 18 January 2027
- Duration
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1 year 6 months
- Positions available
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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 within Environmental Services, you will become part of a large and supportive team that works across a wide range of service areas. The Environmental Services team delivers essential services throughout the district, including waste and recycling collections, street cleansing, grounds maintenance, environmental crime investigations, and community safety initiatives. While the role is primarily office-based, you will work closely with our contractor, FCC, who deliver many of these services on behalf of the Council.
During your apprenticeship, you may be involved in a variety of activities, including:
- Investigating reports of missed waste and recycling collections
- Assisting with the investigation and clearance of fly-tipping incidents
- Maintaining and updating databases relating to commercial waste collections
- Conducting site visits alongside colleagues and contractors
- Supporting community events and working in partnership with the Police and other agencies
- Raising and processing purchase orders
- Assisting with projects aimed at enhancing local communities, such as improvements to public spaces like Welland Park
- Responding to enquiries from residents via email and telephone
Environmental Services is a friendly and enthusiastic team that is passionate about making a positive difference for the residents of Harborough District. The role offers plenty of variety, with opportunities to gain experience across multiple service areas, ensuring that no two days are ever the same.
We value collaboration and enjoy working together in the office. However, once you have gained confidence and experience in the role, you will have the opportunity to work from home one day per week. The position also benefits from a flexible working (flexi-time) scheme, helping you achieve a healthy work-life balance.
This apprenticeship provides an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience, develop new skills, and contribute to services that have a direct impact on the local community.
Where you'll work
The Symington Building
Adam & Eve Street
Market Harborough
Leicestershire
LE16 7AG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
LOUGHBOROUGH 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
- Within the first 15 months additional training is delivered at Loughborough College, one morning a week for 12 weeks, dates are subject to enrolment date
- Online portfolio to update with learning and development completed onsite
- Diarised visits from dedicated Trainer/Assessor
- On-the-job training
- Off-the-job training
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Driving Licence in:
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
- Administrative skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Non judgemental
Other requirements
A current, valid and full driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle (Reasonable adjustments could be considered in the case of a disability).
About this employer
Harborough District Council is a small, rural and friendly Council. We provide a wide range of services for residents including waste collection, housing, planning and leisure services
http://www.harborough.gov.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- 27 days per annual leave year (1st April to 31st March) plus bank holidays Discounted memberships at HDC owned Leisure Centres
- Full occupational health service including access to counselling and telephone advice services
- Free eye examinations for computer users
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).
The successful candidate will be eligible to apply for internal vacancies within Harborough District Council.
Environmental Services can be a career in its own right, but also a useful starting role for future opportunities in administration, policy development or government / civil service roles.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE
Sophia Cleaver
apprenticeships@loucoll.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000062891.
Apply now
Closes in 18 days (Friday 27 November 2026 at 11:59pm)