Apprentice Joiner

Earn.  Learn.  Qualify.
Are you looking for an opportunity to gain valuable experience, earn a salary, and achieve a recognised qualification at the same time? Do you want to develop new skills, grow in confidence, and build a successful career? If so, an apprenticeship with Durham County Council could be the perfect place to start.

Why choose Durham County Council?
At Durham County Council, we are committed to supporting our apprentices to reach their full potential. As an apprentice, you will benefit from:

• A competitive rewards and benefits package, including a generous annual leave entitlement. Find out more about our benefits here.
• A positive work-life balance, with many roles operating under our flexible hybrid working policy, offering a combination of home and office-based working where appropriate.
• Excellent career prospects, with a strong track record of apprentices progressing into permanent employment. In fact, three out of four apprentices secure a further role with us following completion of their apprenticeship.
• Recognition as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer, demonstrating our commitment to providing high-quality apprenticeship opportunities.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. As a Disability Confident Leader and member of the North East England Rainbow Alliance, we strive to create a supportive and inclusive workplace for everyone. Find out more here.
• Professional development and support, with the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues while studying towards a nationally recognised qualification through a college, university or training provider.
• Dedicated guidance throughout your apprenticeship, including support from an experienced mentor, the option of a workplace buddy for disabled employees, and opportunities to network with other apprentices across the organisation.

Durham County Council is a great place to begin your career, but don’t just take our word for it. Hear directly from our apprentices about their experiences through Apprenticeships at Durham County Council , and discover how our Chief Executive, John Hewitt, started his own career journey through an apprenticeship

Apprentice Joiner
Do you enjoy creating things, working with your hands, and paying close attention to detail? If so, this could be the ideal apprenticeship for you.
Joiners play a vital role in the construction and maintenance industry, using a range of building materials—primarily timber and wood—to manufacture, install, and maintain structural and decorative components. With increasing demand for skilled tradespeople, a career in carpentry and joinery offers excellent long-term opportunities.

As an Apprentice Joiner, you will become part of Durham County Council’s highly skilled Repairs and Maintenance Team, gaining valuable practical experience while developing the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required to support the delivery of building repair, maintenance, and construction services.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will include assisting Construction, Repairs and Maintenance Managers and the wider team with joinery installation, repair, and maintenance activities. You will also contribute to the promotion and development of safe working practices, helping to strengthen the organisation’s health and safety culture. In addition, you will support compliance with relevant standards, policies, and procedures, while delivering a high-quality service to both existing and prospective customers.

Throughout your apprenticeship, you will receive full support to achieve a Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery qualification, with the opportunity to progress to Level 3 as your skills and experience develop.
This apprenticeship provides an excellent foundation for a rewarding career and is an ideal opportunity for individuals with the ambition to learn, develop, and progress within the construction/maintenance industry

What qualification will I gain?
As part of your apprenticeship, you will study towards a Level 2 qualification in Carpentry and Joinery, progressing onto a relevant Level 3 with New College Durham.

What will I need?
Either have or expect to achieve 2 GCSE’s (A-C or 9-4) in English and Maths or Functional Skills Level 2.

Very Important
Applicants who have enrolled for a Level 2 Joinery qualification which is due to commence in September or are currently studying towards a Level 2 qualification are welcome to apply.

However, if you have already achieved a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in Joinery, you will not be eligible for this apprenticeship. This is because the position is funded through the Apprenticeship Levy, which places restrictions on funding for individuals who already hold an equivalent or higher qualification in the same subject area.

Please look at the attached person specification to check that you meet the essential criteria. Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed. 

Further information
We encourage you to contact Matthew Jackson, Responsive Repairs and Minor Works Manager, via email View email address on northeastjobs.org.uk or
Beverley Grant, Planned Maintenance Service Manager, via email View email address on northeastjobs.org.uk if you have any questions about this opportunity.

DurhamWorks
If you are aged 16-24 living in County Durham and not in education, employment, or training, you can take advantage of the help and support available from DurhamWorks.  This dedicated programme works with you to remove any barriers preventing you from progressing. Visit DurhamWorks

Employability Durham
If you are aged 25 and over, unemployed and live in County Durham, Employability Durham can offer you help and support to get back into work or start your own business. Visit EmployabilityDurham

DurhamEnable
If you are 18+, have a neurodivergence or disability and fit the criteria, DurhamEnable offers dedicated Job Coaching support from pre-application to post employment. Helping disabled people get and keep the right jobs for them.  Visit Durhamenable

OUR OFFER TO YOU
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

HOW TO APPLY 
Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted.

Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support to your application and for guidance on completing your application.

If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on View phone number on northeastjobs.org.uk, or via email View email address on northeastjobs.org.uk

All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from View email address on northeastjobs.org.uk . Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.

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