Apprentice Highways Operative

Earn. Learn. Qualify.

Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, develop and be the best version of yourself? Then why not build the foundations of your career with an Apprenticeship at Durham County Council!

We offer a wide range of rewards and benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement – find out more information here

We encourage a great work/life balance! Many of our roles operate under our ‘hybrid working’ policy, which gives you the opportunity of flexible, home and office working.

We have a successful track record in supporting our apprentices to secure permanent employment, with 3 in 4 apprentices securing a further role with us.

We have been recognised as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer! As a Disability Confident Leader, and a member of the North East England Rainbow Alliance, we are committed to equality and diversity in the workplace – find out more here

You will learn from skilled professionals whilst being supported to study towards a recognised qualification with a college/university/training provider.

We will support you every step of the way, with a dedicated Mentor, the option of a buddy for disabled new employees and great networking opportunities with other apprentices.

Durham County Council is a fantastic place to work but if you need convincing, we’ve asked some of our apprentices to share their own stories at Apprenticeships at Durham County Council. You can also hear from John Hewitt, our Chief Executive, and how his career started with an apprenticeship.

Do you enjoy working outside and looking after your local area? Then this apprenticeship could be for you

Highways Operatives carry out repairs and improvements to a variety of built environment infrastructure such as modular paving, kerb installation, bituminous macadam laying, concreting, pipe laying, hard and soft landscaping including drainage repair, excavation and shoring.

As a Highways Operative Apprentice, you will develop skills, knowledge and experience working across the Highways Services of Durham County Council within Technical Services. The structured training programme will enable you to gain experience, further education and broad base skills.

The apprenticeship role involves developing skills and knowledge through the provision of a high quality service to Technical Services to assist other Highway Operatives with the day to day effective management and control of individual projects.

Your base will be Meadowfield however you may be required to work from alterative depots within the Durham County area.

You will study towards the Highways Maintenance Skilled Operative Level 2 standard with Derwentside College.

• You must have a good basic general education to GCSE level or equivalent.
• You must have good communication skills, be able to work as part of a team and be reliable and punctual.

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.

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 Durham Works. This dedicated programme works with you to remove any barriers preventing you from progressing.

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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.

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

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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.

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