Resources Department

Apprenticeships

Resources Department

Candidate Information Pack

Ref: 1600102

February 2016

Foreword

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in the exciting apprenticeship opportunities at Brent Council.

We are committed to creating job opportunities that make a difference to young people and to the community.

Our apprenticeship roles provide the chance for young people to kick-start their careers within the Council and we also have a strong track record for apprentices progressing within the organisation.

We encourage applications from enthusiastic young people aged 16-24 who can demonstrate how they meet the skills and qualities that we are looking for, they are:

·  Good organising and time-keeping skills

·  Team-working skills

·  Communication skills (verbal and written)

·  Customer service skills

·  Willingness to learn

·  Motivation and commitment

·  IT skills

Please note that it is important to ensure that you use your application to demonstrate how you meet these skills and qualities, giving examples for each.

These roles provide an opportunity for you to make a valuable contribution to Brent and I look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely,

Sanmi Akinlabi

HR Manager, Brent Council

Brent – The place to be, the council to work for

Brent is a place of contrasts and a destination for thousands of British and international visitors every year. Home of the iconic Wembley Stadium, the world famous Wembley Arena, the new London Designer Outlet and the spectacular Swaminarayan Hindu Temple, it provides a stage for cultural, sporting and religious events of national and international importance.

Our new Civic Centre is on Engineers Way (opposite Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena); it provides residents with easy access to a variety of public services in one place.

The majority of staff are based in the award winning Civic Centre, having recently won the best corporate workplace joint category in London and the South East at the annual British Council for Offices (BCO) Regional Property Sector Awards. The Civic Centre has also been awarded the coveted BREEAM (Building Research Establishment), ‘Outstanding’ rating in its post construction assessment, which is the highest possible ranking. It is the greenest public building in the UK.

Brent is served by some of the best road and rail transport links in London. Given the excellent public transport links to the Civic Centre there is no on-site parking provision for staff (excluding blue badge holders). If staff choose to commute to work by car, local car park operators offer discounted contract parking and details can be provided on request.

There is excellent provision for cyclists including over 200 secure cycle parking spaces, lockers and showers.There is also a Club Car scheme in operation for staff that need to use vehicles in undertaking their duties.

We have award winning parks, outstanding schools, a great night life and a reputation for fostering and celebrating community cohesion. Our population is young, dynamic and growing. Our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here.

The council has achieved Investors in People (IiP) Silver level accreditation, this is reserved for organisations that have achieved above and beyond the basic IiP standard's 39 requirements, which stands as testament to Brent's commitments to best practice in respect of the development of staff and how investment in learning and development has a positive impact on the services that the council provide. Over the coming months we are going to build on what we are doing well and with your help we will make Brent an even greater place to live and work in.

Over recent years, Brent Council has undergone major transformation, and this continues with a programme of unprecedented structural and organisational change designed to meet the financial challenges facing the public sector. The Council’s Improvement and Efficiency Strategy sets out proposals to deliver high quality services while driving efficiency and cutting waste and bureaucracy. It is committed to driving forward service excellence, urban regeneration and community cohesion whilst recognising that we cannot ignore the financial reality of providing public services in this challenging financial climate.

Anyone joining the council is coming into a confident, ambitious organisation with big plans. There is a huge opportunity to contribute to change in a way that genuinely helps us to become more efficient, streamlined and customer-focused. Whilst competitive levels of pay are important in your decision to work for Brent, we aim to offer an employment package that supports the values and wellbeing of everybody working here. The determination is reflected in our benefits.

GLPC Job Description Non-Manager

/ Job Title / Apprentice
Department / Various
Section / Various
Grade / Apprentice
Reports to / Line Manager
Staffing Responsibility / None
Organisation
Job Purpose:
To meet the required objectives and standards in line with the job role.
To acquire the knowledge and ability to support the delivery of the Council’s services.
To undertake a training programme as an apprentice and successfully complete it, including the assigned NVQ.
Principal Accountabilities and Responsibilities:
·  To develop knowledge of the service and its users.
·  To respond to customers and clients as required ensuring that all enquiries are processed within agreed service delivery standards.
·  Produce documents, letters and reports as required using computer systems.
·  Participate in a variety of projects set by the needs of the customers and service.
·  To create, update and maintain systems, files and records.
·  To work towards and complete a National Vocational Qualification Level 2 as part of the apprenticeship programme.
·  To participate actively in your own development plan as agreed with the line manager and training provider assessor.
·  Carry out duties with due regard to the Council’s Customer Care, Equal Opportunities, Information Governance, Data Protection and Health and Safety policies and procedures.
·  Undertake any other duties commensurate with the general level of responsibility of this post.
DBS Status / To be confirmed with Human Resources
Politically Restricted / No
Person Specification
Job Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
Specify the qualifications, experience, skills and abilities required.
Knowledge and Qualifications:
·  3 GCSEs, grades A-C
·  Good IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
Experience:
·  Working effectively in a team
·  Working in a customer service environment
·  Working with IT systems or databases
Skills and Abilities:
·  Good organising and time-keeping skills
·  Team-working skills
·  Communication skills (verbal and written)
·  Customer service skills
·  Willingness to learn
·  Motivation and commitment
·  IT skills

We have a highly competitive remuneration and benefits package:

Remuneration

Grade: Aged 16-18, £8,500 - Aged 19-24, £9,500

Hours of Work

36 hours per week

As an apprentice you will be working 29 hours and will have 7 hours guided learning.

Whilst your hours will normally be worked during Monday to Friday, your actual working week runs from Monday to Sunday and you may be required to work on any day in this period.

Pay Intervals

Monthly on the 15th of each month into your bank account.

Salary progression

All appointments are made at the bottom of the salary scale for the post unless by exception. Subject to satisfactory performance you will receive a discretionary bonus of up to £1,500 during the course of the apprenticeship.

Annual leave

Annual leave entitlement starts at 26 days plus leave on all recognised public and bank holidays rising to a maximum of 32 days depending on length of service. Leave is pro rata for staff who work part time or who job-share.

Probation period

The appointment is subject to completion of a satisfactory probation period.

Pensions

Local government employees have access to very attractive pension arrangements.

Benefits

An attractive employment package is offered that supports the values and wellbeing of everybody working at Brent. Brent offers:

·  flexible working arrangements,

·  a wellbeing programme,

·  access to discounts in a wide range of services including travel, retail, entertainment and sports facilities.

Place of Work

Civic Centre and other locations.

Travel arrangements

Interest free loans are available to employees wishing to purchase an annual season ticket. There are good travel links in and out of Wembley.

Training

The council is committed to developing its workforce and has achieved Investors in People accreditation.

Valuing Diversity

We are proud that Brent is one of the most diverse boroughs in the UK and aim to develop a workforce that reflects the community in which we operate.

We are committed to recruiting, developing and retaining the most talented people from all backgrounds and valuing the varied skills, experiences and perspectives they bring to us in Brent. We strive to ensure that applicants are considered solely on the basis of their skills and abilities. We monitor the diversity of applicants and appointments to check that all our employment procedures are fair.

We particularly encourage applications from disabled people as they are currently under-represented in our workforce. We are a Two Ticks employer and offer guaranteed interviews to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role.

Important Information about this role:

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check

Successful applicants, depending on where you will work, may be required to obtain the appropriate DBS check considered satisfactory by the Council. The London Borough of Brent is an Equal Opportunities employer and having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of your offences. We will not unfairly discriminate against you on the basis of conviction or other details revealed.

Please note, however that we are also fully committed to protecting our vulnerable clients and will fully comply with the DBS code of practice. For a copy of the code, please visit http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/dbs or request a copy from Human Resources.

Failure to disclose information or providing deliberate false information in order to gain employment may lead to your dismissal or a withdrawal of an offer of employment.

Rehabilitation of offenders Act

The post you are appointed to maybe exempt from section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974, particularly if the duties give you access to persons who are under the age of 18. Applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions, which would be regarded as spent for other purposes.

Application information

For your information please note the following when completing your application:

·  Read the job description and person specification carefully

·  Complete a supporting statement online as part of the application form, making sure you address each of the criteria indicated in the person specification

·  As space for your supporting statement is only 4,000 characters on the system, you may prefer to choose the document upload option to attach a word version of your statement.

·  You are required to complete the attached Apprenticeship Pathway document and attach to your application form.

Applicants may only be short-listed if they indicate in their application that they meet the short-listing criteria on the Person Specification. Your completed application form and attachments are the only basis for considering your initial suitability for the post. It is therefore important that you consider this carefully.

Unfortunately we are unable to provide feedback to applicants who are not shortlisted for interview; therefore, if you have not heard from us within 2 weeks from the closing date assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

Disabled Applicants

Applicants who are disabled and are covered under the Disability Provision of Equality Act 2010 and meet the essential criteria for the role will be invited to the selection process.

Recruitment stages

The flowchart below has been created to inform you of the proposed recruitment timeline and different stages candidates will follow during this recruitment process.

We appreciate it is helpful to give candidates adequate notice of assessment and interview dates and it is intended that these will be held on the above dates.

*Candidates will normally receive confirmation of the start date within 4 weeks of their conditional offer but this will depend on:

·  How quickly candidates complete and return all necessary information

·  Whether a Health Referral is required and how detailed the request for medical information is.

Advert Copy:

All posts will be based within the Borough of Brent
Get ahead with an Apprenticeship at Brent Council
A number of exciting apprenticeship positions are currently available at Brent Council in departments such as Chief Executive’s Department, Resources Department, Children & Young People Department, Community Wellbeing Department and Regeneration & Environment Department.
Salary:

·  Aged 16-18, £8,500

·  Aged 19-24, £9,500

Discretionary bonus payments based on achieving specific performance targets, such as punctuality, quality of work and progress towards the achievement of the apprenticeship framework.

Brent Council is committed to innovative schemes, designed to inspire, help and support residents towards a better life.
Apprenticeship programmes involve real on-the-job-training where you will earn as well as study and gain skills. You will also gain nationally recognised qualifications by successfully achieving your Apprenticeship Framework. A framework is made up of a number of qualifications, such as an NVQ, which employers throughout the country have said a person should have to be successful in that job.
The Roles

Brent Council is offering a number of opportunities at level 2 NVQ some of the vocational pathways available are Business Administration, Customer Service, IT and Finance.

You will gain a qualification whilst working as part of a team that provides assistance and solutions to residents and customers.
Brent Council will help you to access the right NVQ course for you, provide off-the-job training, and support you through the programme.
By the end of your training period you will have achieved vocational qualifications, developed a range of work-related skills, and had the opportunity to earn a competitive working wage while developing the right attitude, skills and confidence. You must be committed to completing the programme in full to be accepted into an Apprenticeship Programme.
The Person