Libraries Business Support Assistant Apprentice

Job introduction

Would you like to join a dynamic team supporting the smooth running of a modern and successful library service?

Brighton & Hove City Council is one of the City’s largest employers with all the opportunities that may bring. The Libraries & Information Service have an exciting opportunity for a Level 3 apprentice in Business Administration. The Department is responsible for the provision of library services and information across the city.

Benefits of the role include:

• Developing a highly transferable set of knowledge, skills and behaviours that can be applied in all sectors
• Working in the award-winning Jubilee Library in the heart of Brighton, with opportunities to regularly visit our 14 other unique libraries across the city
• Being part of a friendly and supportive team, helping you develop confidence and experience throughout your apprenticeship
• Access a huge suite of training and learning opportunities offered by the Council and library service directly
• Free access to a vast range of library resources and study materials

The Business Administration Apprenticeship at level 3 is run by Chichester College Group who is responsible for supporting you with your learning and carrying out assessments. Your role will be linked to the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the apprenticeship standard and once you are competent in all these areas you will take an End Point Assessment before successfully completing. You will receive support from a nominated mentor, throughout the duration of the Apprenticeship.

For an informal discussion, please contact Ben King, Claire Lean or Anne Hallinan - Libraries Services Managers on 01273 296952.

About the role

Apprentices will gain knowledge in a range of business administration systems and processes, supporting conferencing and retail services, working with a range of teams and developing project management skills, whilst gaining invaluable experience in the workplace in applying and putting this learning into practice. You will build and develop relationships with colleagues, customers and other stakeholders, working flexibly in a team to meet the requirements of the library service.

Flexible working is supported where possible, local government salary-related pension offered, a child care voucher scheme as well the benefits of gaining staff discounts around the City and through many of the UK’s largest retailers and accessing other services. As an Apprentice you are also eligible to gain an apprentice NUS card and can take advantage of the Catch the bus4work scheme and bus travel discounts with Brighton & Hove buses. See https://www.buses.co.uk/students

Entry Requirements

Please see the Essential Criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the Job Description for the particular requirements of this role.

Functional Skills

Apprentices without evidence (a certificate) of level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to completing training and you will also be required to take an English and Maths assessment prior to a formal offer being made.

For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the apprenticeships English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language qualification are an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language.    

Interviews: Provisionally early October 2022

Please note, your application may be shared with the training provider and an informal interview will take place with them to confirm eligibility prior to an offer being confirmed

Please declare your qualifications in the application as this may affect eligibility.

The duration of the apprenticeship will be up to 21 months  

NB. This may be amended should you have any applicable prior learning and your contract will end on successful completion of the apprenticeship

Please read our Apply for a job at the council (brighton-hove.gov.uk) pages carefully. They give you all the guidance you need to complete your application as well as information on what will happen after you’ve submitted your application and at interview.

As part of your application, you will need to complete your education and work history and provide answers to some shortlisting questions. Your answers to the shortlisting questions are the most important part of your application as they will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our guidance here (Shortlisting questions guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process.

Additional information

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only.

Work Permits: This role does not meet the requirement for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Points-based Immigration System. Successful candidates will need to evidence that they have the Right to Work in the UK.

In order to apply for an apprenticeship, you must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years on the first day of the apprenticeship (or this includes EEA for UK or EEA Nationals with pre-settled or Settled Status) or have some other residency eligibility status. Please see Annex A of the latest employer funding rules: Apprenticeship funding rules - GOV.UK  for a full list of residency categories and locations

If you are resident through a visa, leave to remain or other means please confirm type and that any expiry date covers the duration of the apprenticeship once it is due to start. Those on a student visa or non-UK/non EEA nationals who have been here in the last three years for other educational purposes may not be eligible. For further information regarding apprenticeship eligibility please see Annex A of the latest employer funding rules: Apprenticeship funding rules - GOV.UK.

For more information about our values and the benefits of working at the council, visit Why work for us (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

Company information

Encouraging a diverse workforce

Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, male or trans.

Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our fair and inclusive actions, our anti-racism strategy and the work we are doing to encourage a diverse workforce (brighton-hove.gov.uk).