Apprenticeships

What are Apprenticeships? 

An Apprenticeship is not a qualification in itself, but a number of separately certified qualifications and courses known as a Framework.

Apprenticeships combine practical and theoretical skills, and they are designed to help employees reach a high level of competency and performance.

A framework would generally consist of:

  • National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) - a work related competence based qualification assessed in the workplace by a college or training provider;
  • Technical Certificate - a knowledge-based qualification such as a BTEC or City & Guilds, relevant to the specific Apprenticeship and usually delivered by a college or training  provider; 
  • Key Skills - transferable skills that support an employee in their job (e.g. literacy and  numeracy, working in teams, problem-solving and using new technology);
  • Employment Rights and Responsibilities - to develop knowledge and understanding about the world of employment.

Frameworks are available as:

  • Intermediate Apprenticeships (level 2, broadly equivalent to five good GCSE passes),
  • Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3, broadly equivalent to two A Levels)
  • Higher Apprenticeships (level 4, broadly equivalent to a Higher Education – currently available in a small number of occupational areas).

The Oldham Council Apprenticeship

As well as allowing you to work towards a recognised qualification the Oldham Council apprenticeship offers you:

  • Valuable work experience
  • Wages
  • Opportunities to progress your career
  • Paid holidays
  • Flexible working 
  • Pension scheme

Who is it for?

  • You must be over 16 years old
  • Ideally people living within the borough of Oldham
  • Individuals who are not in full time education
  • Individuals that are unemployed or looking for a career change
  • Existing Staff
  • Individuals who do not hold a Level 4 or higher qualification (ineligible for apprenticeship funding)

What kind of apprenticehips are available?

We offer apprenticeships at NVQ level 2 and NVQ level 3 (if appropriate) in many areas:

  • Business Administration
  • Catering
  • Countryside Management
  • Customer Services
  • Security
  • Health and Social Care
  • Horticulture
  • IT
  • Sports Development
  • Teaching Assistant
  • Waste Management
  • Youth Work

Some apprentices will be recruited on a temporary basis, clarification of which posts are permanent or temporary will be outlined in the advertisement.

Candidate commitment

Successful apprentices are informed at interview that they are required to complete qualifications suitable for their role.

This may include Intermediate Apprenticeship (level 2) or Advanced Apprenticeship (level 3) alongside in-house training.

Usually an Intermediate Apprenticeship can be completed within a 12 month time frame; however the team recognises that everyone has different learning styles and it may be that some levels are completed quicker than others.

A benefit of an apprenticeship framework is that you can learn and complete elements at your own pace.

Manager commitment

Certain commitment is also required from management in the form of time; to do the modules; meet with the assessor and provide a mentoring role.

Depending on the post and the duties required of that post holder; it may sometimes be necessary to allow the apprentices to conduct additional tasks to complete their portfolio e.g. take minutes for a meeting.

Apprentice protocol

We would like to make you aware of some expectations we have of employees should you be successful in obtaining a placement.

Please do:

  • Ask for support/assistance if needed
  • Ask if you don’t understand a task or job required of you
  • Ask for any additional IT or other training
  • Be aware that there are formal procedures for sickness absence monitoring and unacceptable repeated absences
  • Report in to your line manager if you are running late or are unable to attend work due to sickness by 9.30 am
  • Be aware that emails and internet use are monitored (misuse will be noted and made available to your manager)

Please don't:

  • Use your personal mobile during core working hours
  • Use the office phone to make personal calls, unless you have your line manager’s permission
  • Use the internet facility for accessing sites not relating to work
  • Misuse the clocking system - doors are also monitored

Our promise to you

As an Oldham Council apprentice, we promise to support and mentor you from start to finish.  

We will do our best to provide you with a first class experience to help you to become a success.

Training providers

Oldham Council currently works with following training providers to deliver various apprenticeship frameworks: 

For further information about apprenticeships please see:


Apprentices enquires