Local government officer apprenticeships - where to start
You can get into this job through
a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role
applying directly
a graduate training scheme
University
You may need to do a degree or a job-specific qualification, depending on the department you want to work in. Subjects include:
town planning
urban design
historic building conservation
housing
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
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equivalent entry requirements
student finance for fees and living costs
university courses and entry requirements
College
You could do
a college course before
applying directly for this role.
Courses include:
Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Business Administration
Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
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equivalent entry requirements
funding advice
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Apprenticeship
You could get into this job through
an apprenticeship. The exact apprenticeship will depend on your duties but examples include:
intermediate or advance apprenticeship in business or administration
public service operational delivery officer advanced apprenticeship
These usually take between 12 and 18 months to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements
guide to Apprenticeships
Work
You could start in local government as an administrative assistant and work your way up to more senior positions through training on the job. Experience in office work would be useful.
Direct Application
You can apply for jobs directly if you've got the right skills and experience. Some local authorities may ask for at least 4 GCSEs, A levels, or equivalent qualifications, depending on the vacancy.
For certain jobs, you may need a degree or specific professional qualification in an area like town planning or public policy.
Knowledge of common office software packages and experience in working in customer service are also valued by employers, and could help your career prospects.
Other Routes
You may be able to join a local authority's National Graduate Development Programme if you've got a first class or upper second class degree. Most subjects are acceptable.
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Career tips
You may be able to get into this job through an internship.
Further information
You'll find more details about working in local government through the Local Government Association.
Local government officer apprenticeships - what it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
customer service skills
administration skills
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
business management skills
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to work well with others
the ability to use your initiative
the ability to organise your time and workload
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Local government officer apprenticeships - what you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
Depending on your level of responsibility, you could:
manage and evaluate projects
write reports and briefing papers
deal with enquiries and give advice
present information at meetings
supervise administrative work and manage clerical staff
keep records
prepare and manage contracts
deal with other agencies
manage budgets and funding
Working environment
You could work in an office.
Career path and progression - Local government officer apprenticeships
With experience, you could progress into management.
You could also move into other public sector areas like the NHS or the voluntary sector.