Communications and Engagement Apprentice

Overview

We’re looking for an ambitious and enthusiastic apprentice to join our Communications and Engagement Team, sitting within our Deputy Chief Executive directorate. You’ll combine work-based training along with achieving a Level 3 qualification as a Multi-Channel Marketer.

Working for one of the largest employers in the County, you will gain a wealth of skills including planning, content creation (including video and podcast), copywriting, evaluation and stakeholder engagement, as well as experience of campaign delivery and event management. Setting you up for a career in communications and engagement.

About us

Our apprenticeships are designed to give you the hands-on experience needed in a real job that brings out the best in you, with real responsibilities, real challenges, real projects and scope to grow your career.

Click here for an insight on what it’s like to be an apprentice with us.

We are a dynamic and creative corporate communications and engagement team that provides professional communications advice and support to internal and external stakeholders, using a range of disciplines including public relations, media relations, social media, design, consultation, campaigns and internal communications.

Training will be provided by Ginger Nut Training. Ginger Nut’s delivery is based on a remote, blended model of one-to-one tutor sessions every 4 weeks, group sessions, webinars, online courses, video, and additional support where required. Apprentices are allocated a tutor to guide them through the training, conduct regular meetings and prepare for End Point Assessment. Our tutors are industry experts with relevant industry experience in addition to teaching and coaching expertise.

To support learning, we utilize online resources mapped to the apprenticeship and all learners are given access to LinkedIn Learning, and other bespoke channels designed to support their apprenticeship.

About the role

In this role you’ll report into the Strategic Internal Communications Lead and contribute to the work across all disciplines of the communications and engagement team while studying to achieve the Level 3 apprenticeship throughout the duration of your time with us. We’ll ensure you have the support and time during your working week for study and assessments- which means no evening or weekend study is required!

You will work towards being able to undertake the range of duties listed below:

• Support the communications team with the planning and delivery of communication plans and campaigns, including researching, developing and implementing creative ideas and solutions
• Assist with the evaluation and reporting of communication activities, using various tools and methods to measure and demonstrate impact and effectiveness
• Create and deliver high-quality written, visual and audio content for various communication channels, ensuring it is creative, accurate, accessible, consistent and aligned with the council's brand and tone of voice
• Build and maintain positive relationships with internal stakeholders and support the management of communications mailboxes

About you

Skills required:

• Creative thinker
• Able to analyse and evaluate information to identify what works wells
• Able to multi-task, organise own work and achieve deadlines
• Good IT skills (Microsoft Office skills (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook)

and the ability to use online software with training and support

• Able to communicate well verbally and in writing
• Able to use initiative and work independently

• Good attention to detail
• Good standard of written work with accurate spelling and grammar

Personal Qualities

• Real ambition to develop your skills and experience
• You think outside the box and enjoy creative problem solving
• Comfortable working as part of a team and playing an active role
• Able to get on well with a range of people
• Enthusiastic, dynamic and forward thinking
• Willingness to learn and to undertake a range of different tasks as required

Eligibility Criteria:

Qualified to Level 2 or above in Literacy and Numeracy (GCSE grades A* - C/9-4 or equivalent), or Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Qualification. 

Please note: You will not be eligible for this post if you have a degree in the same subject as this apprenticeship, or other qualifications in the same subject at an equivalent level. 

Other information

Location: The Gateway, Aylesbury

Advert closing date: 23 February 2025

Possible Starting date: March/April

Duration of Apprenticeship: 19 months

Salary
Your initial apprentice salary will be £12,347 per annum for your first year and will go up to National Minimum Wage if you are 19+ when you start the 2nd year of your apprenticeship. All your training will be funded by us. As well as the salary, our apprentices are eligible to:

• Paid holiday package
• Join our generous Pension scheme
• Receive a range of restaurant, shop & gym discounts through our Employee Benefits scheme
• Apply for a TOTEM Card (formerly called the NUS Extra card)

Reality Check:

This is a full-time position working a 37-hour week Monday to Friday.

Our apprenticeship roles are on a fixed term contract for the duration of the apprenticeship. This particular Level 3 apprenticeship will last about 19 months.

You will be required to work from the office two days per week, so you will need access to transport to be able to commute as required.

Contact: Amy Murphy, Strategic Internal Communications Lead – [email protected]

Future Prospects:

We cannot guarantee a permanent position following completion of the apprenticeship; however, this is a great opportunity for someone looking to start a career within communications and engagement, gaining a recognised qualification, valuable experience and transferable skills to support their next career move.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

a fair and inclusive culture

• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

 

About the Service Area

The Deputy Chief Executive directorate is central to Buckinghamshire Council’s journey to establish itself as one of the best councils in the country. With a clear focus on service improvement through transformation and a drive to build better relationships with the local community, the directorate is fast-paced; but extremely rewarding. Our teams are not only proactively delivering on projects and plans but also reacting to developing situations. If you are ambitious, innovative, and would relish the opportunity to influence change - a role within our service area could be your next career move.

The team includes exciting areas of work, including a brand new localities model – delivering 16 community boards across the county to make it easy for our residents to engage with us as we work together to plan for the future. Other teams include our Policy and Communications and Legal and Democratic Services teams – innovating the way we communicate with our colleagues, Members and the local community, and role-modelling best practice through policy, planning and legal services. If you think you can help us achieve our goals, and want to be a part of this exciting journey, we would love to hear from you!

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/