Job introduction

Would you like a chance to work in a unique heritage engineering environment on the World's oldest working electric railway?  Plus earn whilst you learn and gain a Level 2 Engineering apprenticeship qualification.

You will join our friendly team at the Volks Railway in assessing and inspecting the railway to maintain a safe service whilst being supported on the Level 2 Engineering apprenticeship so you can develop your skills and apply your learning in the role.

There’s lots more information below and in the links but if you want to have an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact James Barton – Volks Railway Manager on 01273 292718 or by email james.barton@brighton-hove.gov.uk

If you would like to discuss eligibility please call the Apprenticeship Team on 01273 290539 or email apprenticeships@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Interviews: w/c 19^th June 2023

Provisional Start Date: September 2023

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Engineering Operative Level 2 apprentice to join the team who are responsible for providing a heritage tourist attraction and transport service along Brighton seafront.

The Engineering Operative Apprenticeship at level 2 is run by Chichester College Group (Northbrook/MET College - Worthing campus) who are responsible for supporting you with your learning and carrying out assessments.  You will attend workshops once a week and have other learning opportunities and work based assessments in the workplace.  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 Pont Assessment before successfully completing. You will receive support from a nominated mentor, throughout the duration of the Apprenticeship.

You will gain knowledge and skills in the maintenance and restoration of heritage trains and railway infrastructure.  You will assess and inspect the railway, help with risk assessments, learn to give talks to school parties, produce reports and help the rest of the team to ensure a smooth operation of the service. You will build and develop relationships with colleagues, customers and other stakeholders.

As well as the job related experience and apprenticeship qualification, you will receive all the benefits and opportunities of being an employee of Brighton & Hove City Council, one of the City’s largest employers. As an Apprentice, you are eligible for an apprentice NUS discount 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

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

Hear what our other apprentices have to say by watching this video

Functional Skills

Apprentices without evidence (a certificate) of level 1 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to completing training.  You will also be required to take an English and Maths assessment prior to a formal offer being made.

Entry Requirements 

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

Please note, if you are successful at interview your application will be shared with the training provider and an informal interview and assessments will take place with them to confirm eligibility prior to an offer being confirmed

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

The duration of the apprenticeship will be 27 months

The role will be based at the Volks Railway, Brighton Seafront.

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

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.

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

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).