Specific Information for Apprentices
Finance
The Finance Apprenticeships offered at Level 3 and Level 4 provide a well-rounded route into the accounting profession, blending theoretical knowledge with practical, workplace experience. At Level 3, apprentices gain foundational skills by supporting everyday financial tasks such as data entry, VAT returns, and tax computations, leading to roles like Assistant Accountant or Accounts Clerk. Advancing to Level 4, apprentices take on more complex responsibilities, including producing and reviewing financial information that meets ethical and legal standards.
Assistant Accountant – Level 3
Professional Accounting Tax Technician – Level 4
Both programmes typically require five GCSEs including English and Maths, 120 UCAS points, and successful completion of AAT Level 3 for entry into the Level 4 option. With personalised learning plans, 20% Off-The-Job training, and ongoing support from BAL and their employer, these apprenticeships set candidates up for success in a range of accounting and finance careers.
“My Apprenticeship has been really beneficial and a really good fit with my role” Lauren Green, White Oak Finance
Customer Service
This Level 3 apprenticeship prepares individuals to become customer service experts, handling complex queries, complaints, and technical issues across industries like retail, contact centres, and digital service platforms. Apprentices act as a key referral point, offering support and sharing product knowledge with their team, while using data insights to drive service improvements. They’ll work confidently with IT systems and digital tools to deliver consistently high standards of care.
Customer Service Practitioner – Level 2
Customer Service Specialist – Level 3
Entry is usually based on five GCSEs including Maths and English, with Level 2 achievement in both required before final assessment. Depending on your experience and career goals, options include the Customer Service Practitioner (Level 2) or Customer Service Specialist (Level 3), each offering a tailored path for growth in the field.
Paul
Paul completed an ITQ Level 3 Apprenticeship with Buckinghamshire County Council ⇩
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He said, “I thoroughly enjoyed my IT apprenticeship. Throughout the year of completing the qualification I learnt valuable skills and knowledge that are vital to the full time job I now have, thanks to completing my apprenticeship. As I got further into the apprenticeship I was given more and more responsibilities and tasks. I had fantastic support from both my assessor and employer. I would definitely recommend the course to anyone wanting to start an IT career.”
Paul’s line manager said of him, “From the start of his apprenticeship Paul demonstrated his willingness to work hard and learn new things. His attention to detail and reliability on simple tasks soon gave us the confidence to assign more important work. Paul was even able to save money by coordinating the replacement of some equipment to meet a tight project deadline. It has been rewarding to see Paul’s confidence grow and I’m delighted he was successful in getting a permanent job at the end of his apprenticeship.
Daniel
Daniel is a Level 3 IT Service Desk Apprentice at Buckinghamshire Council ⇩
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He said, “Working in the office environment answering phones to customers and growing not only my knowledge of the role, but also my confidence has provided my manager with enough evidence that I’m ready to advance into a full time role come the end of my qualification.
Taking this apprenticeship has given me options that weren’t previously available to me and most importantly, during an uncertain time in the national pandemic, it has given me a stable opportunity to support myself and continue to learn and grow in my role.”
His line manager Keith Harding said this about the the impact apprentices have had in his IT department:
“I have been fortunate enough to have had apprentices learn and grow whilst working within my team who end up rivalling the skillset of core team members – Daniel is a real asset!”
Ferrari
Ferrari has completed a Level 2 Apprenticeship in ITQ at Buckinghamshire County Council ⇩
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His assessor said of him, “Ferrari has really grown in confidence, he has enjoyed learning new ICT skills and has progressed onto an ITQ Level 3 course to develop his skills further at Buckinghamshire County Council.” His line manager said, “Whilst Ferrari has gained knowledge from his apprenticeship, the ICT Service Desk has gained an invaluable resource that contributes to a successful customer experience. Ferrari has been able to convert his acquired knowledge into transferable skills, which in turn has improved his confidence in his abilities.”
Ferrari said that the highlight of the course was starting something new and meeting new people and he has enjoyed the balance between his role and his coursework.
Business
The Business Administrator Level 3 apprenticeship provides a dynamic and versatile entry point into organisational operations across public, private, and charitable sectors. Apprentices gain vital skills in communication, problem-solving, and decision-making while supporting the smooth running of business functions and enhancing team efficiency. Whether working independently or collaboratively, individuals learn to manage tasks, resolve issues, and contribute to continuous service improvement. With a strong focus on professional development and leadership potential, this pathway is ideal for those looking to build a career in administration with opportunities to progress into management roles.
Business Administrator – Level 3
“The Business and Administration Apprenticeship has accelerated my knowledge of the real business world. It has helped me build confidence and taught me to take responsibility and ownership of my role.” Alex Barnett, The Local Directory
Melanie
Melanie has completed an Advanced Apprenticeship Level 3 in Business and Administration ⇩
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She works in the Health & Social Care team Buckinghamshire Council in the Deprivation of Liberty safeguards team where they support anyone who is 18 years or older who needs support to protect their liberty, as they do not have the capacity to make some or all decisions for themselves regarding their care or treatment. The individuals she supports live in care homes and/or hospitals.
Melanie said that she finds the job rewarding as “I play a part in supporting vulnerable people and their families in our community.”
“I am nearly at the end of my apprenticeship and have enjoyed the experience, it has been challenging at times, but I am glad I stuck with it. I am finishing the course ahead of time as I am about to go on maternity leave, I have been supported by my employer and trainer to make this happen. I would recommend an apprenticeship to other people to gain new skills whilst working and gaining experience.”
Education
Our Education-focused apprenticeships provide a meaningful gateway into the world of child development and classroom support, tailored for those passionate about helping others learn and grow. The Early Years Educator (Level 3) apprenticeship prepares professionals to nurture children from birth to five, blending care with structured learning under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Meanwhile, the Teaching Assistant (Level 3) apprenticeship equips individuals to support pupils of all ages in primary, secondary, and special education—enhancing learning, encouraging emotional wellbeing, and promoting positive behaviour.
Both programmes offer hands-on experience in real educational settings, helping apprentices become confident role models and valued team members. Whether you’re fostering early development or guiding students through their school years, these pathways empower you to make a genuine impact in children’s lives while building a rewarding career in education.
Early Years Educator Practitioner Level 2 and Early Years Educator Level 3
Kyle
Kyle is our Apprentice of the Year 2021
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He was nominated due to his fantastic personal and professional achievements, and for giving so much back to the community and Mandeville School throughout the pandemic and his apprenticeship, and being a key worker.
At the beginning of the course; the new job responsibilities and the learning responsibilities for a Level 3 apprenticeship, presented some real difficulties with prioritising, multitasking, initiating communication and social interaction at the very busy Mandeville School, where Kyle is based as an apprentice and in charge of reprographics.
Together with his fantastic team of colleagues and students at Mandeville School, Kyle battled through the challenges of a pandemic, survived many ‘constructive-feedback sessions’ and Teams meetings. He recovered from Covid and attended work everyday when the school was open, was never late for his apprenticeship meetings, and always greeted us with courtesy and optimism. This level of commitment and integrity comes from the fact that Kyle never doubted the value of his role within the school, and his commitment to the team was always his priority. Kyle responded to this year’s challenges with a greater desire and determination to make it right, and his resilience grew by the day, especially as the pandemic required reaching out and supporting other teams within the school as well as moving to online study for his apprenticeship (even supporting teachers with classroom delivery).
Kyle managed a Library Project from start to finish for over three months, working proudly and tirelessly with teachers, students and many other stakeholders within the school and outside (IT support). The library is now open and fully functioning, with a ‘wish list’ of books to purchase sometime in the future. Kyle worked on his apprenticeship through the pandemic, and reached End Point Assessment, the final stage of the apprenticeship.
Team Leader/Management
Our Management apprenticeships offer two powerful routes for individuals ready to lead teams, drive projects, and steer organisational success. The Team Leader/Supervisor Level 3 apprenticeship is ideal for those stepping into first-line management- developing core leadership skills such as team coordination, project delivery, and effective communication. For more experienced professionals, the Operations/Departmental Manager Level 5 apprenticeship provides the tools to shape strategy, oversee complex operations, and manage financial and human resources at a senior level. Together, these programmes support career growth across all sectors, giving aspiring and established leaders the confidence and capabilities to thrive.
Team Leader/Supervisor – Level 3
Operations/Departmental Manager – Level 5
“The Management Apprenticeship has helped me with my confidence in progressing as a supervisor. It has opened up opportunities for me to develop in my role and also develop the department”. Lauren Andrews, Peros
“I find it easier learning if I jump straight into it. My Apprenticeship has really helped me to get the work experience as well.” Amie Cleary, Cerub PR
Ana
Ana Maria is studying for a Level 4 Project Management Apprenticeship with Bosch in the e-business department ⇩
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Her apprenticeship has allowed her to provide the skills and knowledge to apply project management methods and use tools to support successful project delivery. Ana Maria says the apprenticeship programme has helped her to combine learning and work and put the skills she’s learnt into practice and identify further development. She’s planning to develop her skills for the APM standards and gain a Chartered Association of Project Management accreditation to further develop her career.
Cindi
Cindi completed a Level 5 Apprenticeship in Management at Buckinghamshire County Council ⇩
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She said, “I thoroughly enjoyed this course and it was great to be able to complete this alongside my day to day role. The course was very relevant to my role and enabled me to easily translate my learning into practical skills. I was supported throughout by my assessor and line manager and feel that the Apprenticeship scheme is a very positive programme for both Buckinghamshire County Council and its employees. The course was not without its challenges due to my every day workload and completing this apprenticeship alongside, however I felt that this was easily overcome with the support that I received throughout the programme. I feel that this qualification has enhanced my skills and has been of great benefit to the business as it has developed my leadership and management skills. I will be looking into other options for further qualifications and have recommended this programme to my staff and colleagues.”
Cindi’s assessor said, “Throughout this course Cindi has produced some excellent work incorporating projects she has been involved in at Buckinghamshire County Council. Cindi has worked extremely hard to complete this qualification and has updated her knowledge on legislation, management techniques, risk analysis and strategic planning to name but a few. It was a pleasure to work with such a focused and dedicated learner such as Cindi, who met every deadline set with ease and completed detailed assignments. Cindi is looking into the possibility of doing an Accounts or Project Management qualification next but is taking a break in studies at present to focus on her Management role at Buckinghamshire County Council.“
Jade
Jade completed a Level 5 Apprenticeship in Management with Buckinghamshire County Council ⇩
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She said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed this course and have learnt so much about leadership and management. Whilst completing my Apprenticeship I secured a permanent position in project management. My Assessor was amazing and I would not have completed the course without her support and guidance. The coursework was challenging at times but with the support I felt like I could achieve a positive outcome. I am thoroughly overjoyed that I have completed this course.”
Jade’s line manager said, “Jade has always been highly motivated and working for this qualification seemed to give her even more energy and enthusiasm for her role. She came to work full of new ideas, many of which we incorporated into the team’s performance management objectives. Completing this Apprenticeship has enabled Jade to obtain a promotion within the Council and I know her career will go from strength to strength.“
Adult Care
Our Adult Care apprenticeships- Level 2 Adult Care Worker, Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker, and Level 5 Leader in Adult Care– form a progressive route for those passionate about supporting others with compassion and purpose. From frontline care to leadership and service management, each programme builds essential skills in person-centred support, teamwork, and professional responsibility across a range of settings such as residential care, community outreach, and home support. These pathways offer excellent career progression into roles like Senior Support Worker, Service Manager, or Case Manager, making a lasting difference in people’s lives while developing a fulfilling career in health and social care.
Lead Adult Care Worker- Level 3
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