People & Organisation Development Apprentice

"I love the apprenticeship process as you're getting paid as you learn. I have been able to make good connections with other employees and really good relationships throughout my journey so far. It's a great starting point to anyone who hasn't got a clear idea of what work they would like to pursue. Also, the apprenticeship allowed me to try multiple different types of jobs when opportunities came up, so I was able to see what I liked, and what I was good at."

"The team I work with are very supportive and everybody is happy to help and answer questions. They will rally together to give you the correct information, whether it be for an assignment for my apprenticeship or something on the job"

The Role:

Essex County Council (ECC) stands as one of the most prominent Local Authorities within the UK, overseeing the delivery of vital services and assistance to our extensive community of 1.4 million residents. Our workforce, exceeding 8000 individuals, is dedicated to a diverse array of services, encompassing areas such as social care, public health, technology, green spaces, sustainability, and beyond. We recognise that our strength lies within our workforce, therefore as an organisation we have a range of networks to support staff and drive transformative change.

The People and Organisational Development Team play a key role in supporting ECC to meet our strategic objectives by driving forward the People agenda. The team are responsible for various activities from attracting, recruiting, developing, and retaining talent, managing payroll and benefits, supporting positive employee relations, and ensuring compliance with employment law.

As a POD Apprentice, your first year will consist of three, 4-month rotations in the areas of People, Learning and Development and Organisational Development. For the second year, you will specialise in one of these areas where you will be able to develop your skills, knowledge and experience to act as the foundation for your future career.,

• Building a strong understanding of People & Organisation Development to lead and engage with different parts of the organisation and interact with internal or external customers.


• Accountable for providing support and advice across a wide range of activities. Building effective relationships with key stakeholders, providing support and guidance to develop understanding of processes.


• Monitor, analyse and amend function specific documentation. Providing expertise and clarity within all parties to maximise efficiency and ensure the timely delivery of reviews.


• With a focus on adding value, accountable for leading programmes of work to contribute to the support and development of our people, through support of functional areas, working across teams and resolving issues as requested.


• Maintain awareness of emerging industry trends and best practices, skilfully incorporating insights into daily tasks and responsibilities to foster innovative and informed approaches. Providing subject matter expert support to relevant levels within the organisation.


• Proactively identify potential issues within functional areas and take pre-emptive measures to prevent or mitigate their impact.


• Coordinate and oversee the review and revision of documentation, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance with established standards.


• Collaborate with colleagues and supervisors to ensure that work is completed efficiently and accurately.


• Continuously learn and develop skills through on-the-job training and attending relevant workshops or courses.


• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
  
  "Our rotational apprenticeship provides the perfect opportunity to begin your career in People & Organisation Development. We are looking for dedicated individuals who are driven to build a strong foundation to their careers, and in return we will offer a great package of experience and mentorship to support your development. While some experience is always beneficial, those without direct experience, but with the drive to start a new career in People & Organisation Development, are encouraged to apply" - Owen Brown, Strategic Lead for Emerging Talent, The Level 5 People Professional apprenticeship is an advanced course and is the equivalent to a foundation degree, or a Higher National Diploma (HND). As an Apprentice, you will work under the guidance of experienced professionals to develop a solid foundation in Human Resources, while also contributing to the overall goals and objectives of the Essex County Council.


Working collaboratively, flexibly and effectively communicating with people across the wider council, this role presents an opportunity to learn, whilst working towards a professional qualification. As part of the apprenticeship, you will work towards the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management Level 5 qualification which leads to Associate Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)., You will -

• Be able to display a proven ability and willingness to study and develop the skills and knowledge to successfully complete the Level 5 People Professional apprenticeship.


• Have the ability to deliver effective duties; be well organised, reliable and able to meet deadlines, whilst appropriately handling confidential and sensitive information.


• Have excellent communication skills are essential as well as an ability to build and establish relationships, along with a friendly approach and the ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders.


• Be highly motivated with excellent attention to detail, have a result orientated approach and be continually seeking to improve.


• Have experience of working with IT systems including Microsoft Office and a willingness to learn new systems is important. Excellent Excel capability including query building and bringing data together from different sources.


• Be flexible and able to adapt to changing priorities and have a willingness to assume responsibility for a wide range of tasks.


• Possess excellent numerical and analytical skills with the ability to organise and prioritise your own work to meet deadlines., Be educated to a minimum of A Level / T Level, or completed a Level 3 apprenticeship, or hold Level 3 NVQ/SVQ Qualification, or BTEC qualification.


• Functional Skills Level 1 in Maths and English (or equivalent), which is a Grade D/E or 2/3 to begin the apprenticeship with the ability to reach a Level 2 Functional Skills in both Maths & English by the End Point Assessment (EPA), if you do not already have this.


• Have the right to work and study in England.


• Have been ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for three years before the apprenticeship start date., Please note that we must be provided with your education certificates at the final stage of the recruitment process. If you have international equivalent qualifications a NARIC Statement of Comparability must be provided. If you do not already hold one you can purchase online - you can find more information here Statement of Comparability (enic.org.uk).
  
  As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
  
  Healthy work life balance; flexible and hybrid working options


• Wide range of learning and development opportunities


• IT equipment and home-working equipment supplied


• 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + choice to buy extra


• Generous Local Government Salary related pension scheme


• Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Rewards


• Access to our health and wellbeing support platform with LifeWorks


• Disability Confident Leader: we are committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job


• Up to 4 days per annum volunteering leave


• A nationally recognised Level 5 People Professional qualification


We are an inclusive employer therefore our apprenticeship opportunities are open to both neuro-divergent and neuro-typical individuals.