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Although we recruit apprentices throughout the year, the majority of our vacancies are advertised in May.  All vacancies will be on North East Jobs Portal and promoted via our website and social media channels.

Apprenticeships and work experience


Alongside a fantastic choice of apprenticeships, we also provide opportunities for works experience.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to learn and earn. You could be a school leaver, someone looking to return to work after a period of absence or someone looking for a complete change of career.

We believe we have something for everyone here at the council. You will find all our apprenticeship vacancies on Jobs North East, so please follow the link to explore the range of opportunities we currently have available.

Apply for our latest apprenticeship vacancies at North East Jobs: Apprenticeships.

To apply you'll need to be:

  • 16 or over (there is no upper age limit)
  • living in England
  • not in full-time education

We recruit all year round for some apprenticeships but have a recruitment campaign every May ready for a September start.

John Hewitt, our Chief Executive Director talks about our apprenticeship programme and his journey from apprentice to Chief Executive.

Icon for pdf Apprenticeships video transcript (PDF, 83.2kb)

Earn while you learn

Apprenticeships are an excellent option for all ages. An apprenticeship is an exciting job opportunity where you receive formal training to gain a recognised qualification (such as an NVQ, HNC, HND or a degree) alongside gaining technical knowledge, practical experience and wider skills you need for employment and a future career.

Apprenticeships can take between one and six years to complete, depending on the level.

As an apprentice you will:

  • work alongside experienced staff
  • gain job-specific skills
  • earn a wage and get holiday pay
  • be given time for study related to their role (the equivalent of one day a week)

What you will earn

The national minimum wage (NMW) for all apprentices in Year 1 is £4.81 per hour from April 2022 (this is reviewed every April). If you are aged 19 or older and in Year 2 of your apprenticeship, you will receive the national minimum wage for your age. See National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates for the latest rates.

How many hours per week you will work

The minimum duration of each apprenticeship is based on you working 30 hours a week or more, including any off-the-job training you undertake (equating to 20%). The majority of apprenticeships with the council will be full time 37 hours per week. 

You will get holidays when doing an apprenticeship, you'll receive the same terms and conditions as any other member of staff with the council.

Support with your application

  • If you're aged between 16 and 24, living in County Durham and not in education, employment of training, DurhamWorks can help you get the help you need to make positive choices about your life, training, apprenticeships and employment.
  • If you are 19 years of age and older you can also access support, information, advice and guidance or access accredited qualifications on a formal or flexible basis through our DurhamLearn courses

Stories from council apprentices

We offer a wide range of apprenticeships at the council. Read some case studies from our apprentices.

Apprentice Strategy

Our  Icon for pdf Apprenticeship Strategy 2022 to 2025 (PDF, 516.3kb) outlines what we want to achieve as an employer and the positive action we will take over the next three years to increase the number and range of apprenticeships within the council.

Work experience

Alongside a fantastic choice of apprenticeships, we also provide opportunities for works experience. Work experience has so many benefits:

  • provides hands-on experience of the world of work
  • allows you to test the market
  • can help inform your future career decisions
  • provides relatable works experience for a CV
  • lets a prospective employer know you are interested