Bracknell Forest Council is proud to be a great place to work for all generations, whether you are starting your career or looking for a change.
You don't have to be a school leaver or a young person to start an apprenticeship. Our apprenticeships are available for all.
You may be just leaving education, changing careers or returning to work after a career break. If you are looking for a long and lasting career, then this is your chance to receive excellent training and personal development.
Our apprenticeship scheme provides a perfect way to gain vital work experience and a nationally recognised qualification while in paid employment.
You will be fully supported and mentored through your apprenticeship and be given protected time to complete your course work.
Meet our apprentices
We asked our apprentices why they chose to join our apprenticeship programme and about their experiences so far.
Qualifications and levels of apprenticeships
Apprenticeships range from level 2 to level 7 and take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on the level.
Intermediate
Level 2 - equivalent to GCSEs.
This typically takes 15 to 18 months and if you don't have GCSEs in English and maths, you will also study these subjects.
Advanced
Level 3 - equivalent to 2 A levels
Typically an apprenticeship at level 3 takes approximately 15 to 18 months.
If you haven't already attained level 2 English and maths, you will complete functional skills alongside your apprenticeship.
You will need to produce your original exam certificates as evidence of your achievement.
Find out how to get a replacement exam certificate on GOV.UK.
Higher
A higher apprenticeship is a great alternative to full time higher education and is often delivered in partnership with universities. Some even include integrated degrees.
It enables you to gain valuable on-the-job experience and a work-based degree while earning and avoiding student loan debts.
It is for individuals of all ages who are not in full time education. You can undertake this apprenticeship even if you have a degree already, as long as the apprenticeship is in a different specialist subject.
- levels 4 and 5 - equivalent to a higher education certificate, diploma or a foundation degree
- level 6 - equivalent to an undergraduate degree
- level 7 - equivalent to a post-graduate degree
Typically apprenticeships at these levels take between 14 and 60 months. You will be required to have English and maths prior to commencing a higher apprenticeship.
Find out how to get a replacement exam certificate on GOV.UK.
Assessment and support
A training provider will guide you through your qualification and provide you with a skills coach. The skills coach will help you plan tasks and projects to complete your qualification and mark the work that you do.
You will work closely alongside a colleague or mentor who will support your personal development. This will usually be your line manager.
Much of your learning will be in the workplace where you will shadow colleagues. This will help you to get the practical skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for a busy working environment. Most apprenticeships offer a blended learning approach comprising workshops, distance learning and one-to-one delivery. This will depend on the apprenticeship you apply for.
Pay and benefits
Pay
We pay above the minimum wage. We also have a number of benefits to support with the cost of living, as well as a fully funded training programme.
You will be paid for time spent training or studying for your apprenticeship, while at work, at college or at a training organisation.
Benefits
As a Bracknell Forest Council employee, you will have access to a wide range of benefits including:
National Union of Students (NUS) discount card
A NUS discount card is available for UK apprentices and offers discounts on a variety of essentials from more than 140 high street and online retail partners.
Rail saver for 16 to 17 year olds
For just £30 per year, you will save 50% off most rail fares.
For more information, see the 16 to 17 years saver railcard website.
Rail discounts for 16 to 25 year olds
If you are aged 16 to 25, you will be entitled to save money on rail fares while undertaking an apprenticeship. You can save a third off rail prices with this card.
Leave
You will have a minimum of 24 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after 3 years’ service in addition to 8 bank holidays. You also have the option to buy and sell annual leave.
Travel and transport
A range of travel and transport benefits are available, including business mileage reimbursement, interest free rail and bike loans and discounted rail and bus fares.
Our main office in Bracknell is a 5 minute walk from both the bus and rail station.
Family and lifestyle discounts
There are hundreds of health, wellbeing, family and lifestyle discounts available to you and your family. You can save money on food shopping, holidays, a lease car, cinema tickets, clothes, school uniforms, weekends away and much more.
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
We offer membership to the LGPS. Contributions range from 5.8% to 12.5% of pensionable pay based on earnings, depending on salary.
Employee Assistance Programme
Our Employee Assistance Programme offers free, confidential support and advice for you and members of your household.
Support is available in a number of ways:
- a telephone support service, providing advice, information and support 24/7, 365 days of the year
- an employee website, providing comprehensive tools and guidance to help you with personal and social wellbeing issues
- dedicated manager's resources, including a website with tools and guidance, and a 24-hour telephone coaching service to talk through difficult issues
- free and confidential counselling
See our staff benefits page for more benefits.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for an apprenticeship, contact the recruitment team.
We do not offer apprenticeships in craft trades such as plumbing and heating, carpentry and bricklaying. This is due to the transfer of our housing stock to Silva Homes (formerly Bracknell Forest Homes). For further enquiries, contact Silva Homes.
More information
The following can help you find out more about apprenticeships: