Budding apprentices of all ages have the chance to taste life on the frontline of public services with Durham County Council.

The authority is looking for up to 15 people to join the two-year scheme to get qualifications in business administration. The successful applicants, with the deadline for applying next week (Oct 31), will get the opportunity to work across a wide a range of departments.

It is the biggest apprenticeship scheme undertaken by the County Council in recent years and is open to everyone from school-leavers to the long-term unemployed. They will all come under the Regeneration and Economic Development directorate whom have teams located across the county.

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, said: “This is a great opportunity for young and unemployed people across the county to get work experience in a busy environment. They will also be helped, trained and developed to achieve a recognised qualification.”

The apprentices, who will be mentored all the way, will learn all the basics of business administration while working toward an NVQ level 2 or 3 qualification in business administration which will be assessed by the Councils Adult Learning and Skills team.

Greg Farn, Workforce Support, Administration and Resources Manager, Durham County Council, said: “This is a great way to improve skills and knowledge and gain qualifications through “on the job” training. They will be joining a service that works across a range of key and interesting areas of work that will help them to develop their skills for the future while also obtaining a nationally recognised qualification”.

An information pack is available on www.durham.gov.uk. You can apply on-line or request a pack by contacting the recruitment team on 03000 267 241 or by emailing jobs@durham.gov.uk