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Commercial Apprenticeship Route (Level 4) - Flexible Working Available

Employer
Department for Transport
Location
Birmingham, Leeds, London
Salary
£24,587
Closing date
2 May 2021

View more

Sector
Public Sector
Hours
Full Time
Flexibility
Flexible working available
Contract Type
Permanent

Job Details

Apprenticeship: Level 4

Locations: Birmingham, Leeds & London

Salary: London - £27,766 (uplifting to £34,708 following satisfactory completion of 12-months service) National - £24,587 (uplifting to £30,734 following satisfactory completion of 12-months service)

Contract: 24-month FTA initially, option to convert FTA appointment to permanent DfT position thereafter subject to successful completion of your apprenticeship and on-programme assessment

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience in the job market. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities. We would also welcome applications from candidates from lower socio-economic backgrounds who are looking to take their first steps into the world of work and into learning.

Would you like the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification whilst undertaking an exciting and stretching role, so you can earn whilst you learn?

Do you have the drive and ambition to apply that learning in a real business context so you can continue to develop and work towards your career goals?

If so, we have a unique and exciting opportunity for several apprentices to join the Department for Transport (DfT) and undertake a Level 4 Commercial or Professional Accounting Apprenticeship, and we’d love to hear from you!

Job description

The Department for Transport is an important component to the UK's infrastructure, as it is vital for economic growth and prosperity. Transport keeps Britain on the move whether that be the daily commute to work or supplying businesses up and down the country, without it, business sectors cannot function efficiently.

Joining us on our Commercial Apprenticeship Route (CAR), you will complete a commercially relevant apprenticeship alongside a nationally recognised Project Management qualification, whilst undertaking two stretching 18-month work placements. Each placement will give you the opportunity to develop your commercial skills, and put the learning from your apprenticeship in to practice in a live environment; working on key commercial projects across the Department. Upon successful completion of your apprenticeship you will undergo a short internal assessment during the course of your second placement which, if you pass, will enable you to convert your fixed term appointment into a permanent HEO position in the department.

The three-year programme will be packed with challenge and variety to equip you with the skills and knowledge to work in a variety of commercially-focused roles, and progress your career in the Department. You will get the opportunity to work in different placements where you could be dealing with £multi-million infrastructure projects such as HS2, HS3, Crossrail and Thameslink. It’s a unique opportunity to make a real and tangible impact on society through the delivery of significant commercial projects, while benefiting from the support of your apprenticeship provider and Talent Coach, senior commercial mentor and a ready-made network of fellow CAR apprentices.

If you are a driven and motivated individual who seeks a challenging and rewarding career within a commercially-focused role, then we will provide you with first class training, development and an opportunity to work on major and high-profile projects.

About the Commercial Apprenticeship Route

An apprenticeship is an exciting opportunity to ‘earn whilst you learn’ by combining theoretical learning with practical ‘on-the-job’ experience; allowing you to work towards a nationally recognised qualification, whilst building skills in a stretching role and earning a salary. An apprenticeship also allows you to secure a qualification with no tuition / student fees as the programme is fully funded by the department. You will spend 20% of your contracted working hours dedicated to your apprenticeship and will be surrounded by a supportive network. You will be allocated an apprentice buddy, a mentor and will have regular development conversations with a dedicated Talent Coach and the DfT Talent Team to ensure your learning needs are met and you are on track to successfully complete your apprenticeship.

As part of the programme, you will either study towards a Level 4 Commercial (including Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply qualification) or a Level 4 Professional Accounting (including Chartered Institute of Management Accountants qualification) apprenticeship. The apprenticeship will last approximately 18 months and allow you to work towards gaining one of the above qualifications, whilst putting your learning in to practice in a commercially-focused placement. For more information on the apprenticeship standards please visit here for Commercial and here for Professional Accounting .

During the course of the scheme, you will also complete Association for Project Management (APM), meaning you will graduate the programme with two highly relevant and recognisable qualifications to support you in your future, substantive role in DfT and any longer-term career aspirations you may have.

On successful completion of your apprenticeship, you will rotate in to another commercially focused role in a different part of DfT to allow you to gain breadth, as well as depth of knowledge, in a range of commercial areas. During the second placement, we will support you to continue your personal development and improve your leadership skills, preparing you for your commercially-focused career within DfT. You will also undertake an internal assessment process in your second placement prior to the 24-month mark which, if you successfully pass, will allow you to become a permanent DfT colleague.
 

Responsibilities

What will you be doing?

The programme will run for three years and will include a diverse range of commercially based roles across the department, which may include; Rail Franchising, High Speed Rail, Complex Commercial Procurement, Major Contract Management, Commercial Policy Development and Project Financing.

We are looking to develop colleagues with specialist commercial knowledge and skills, as these are critical to the overall success of the Department and Civil Service. As you are applying for a programme with multiple placements, the duties and responsibilities for each placement will vary, but may include:

- Building contract management skills and playing a part in ensuring key services are delivered to the public;
- Working closely with policy to play a part in developing strategies which will have a wider impact on transport across the country, for example, reducing carbon emissions;
- Using appropriate project management tools to help manage risk and deliver improvements for passengers and the travelling public;
- Representing the Department at external stakeholder events;
- Providing commercial and financial advice to Ministers.

What will you need?

Candidates will need to have a passion for their own personal development and be prepared to commit to a three-year programme, and engage fully with the qualifications and development offered on-programme. We are looking for candidates with a genuine interest in a career in public service and working in a commercially-focused environment, who will work collaboratively with the programme administrators to take full advantage of the learning and networking opportunities provided. We will expect you to be highly numerate, demonstrate your ability to communicate and influence effectively, as well as showing your potential and desire to lead people; role-modelling positive leadership behaviours, both within your immediate cohort and as future programme alumni. We are also looking for candidates who are adaptable, flexible and able to thrive in a fast paced and varied work environment.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for this programme, you will need to:

- Be at least 16-years old;
- Have the right to work in the UK;
- Have been a resident in the UK/EA/EEA continuously for 3-years before starting the apprenticeship;
- Have left full-time education when the apprenticeship starts;
- Not be in receipt of funding for other learning programmes (including another apprenticeship);
- Hold a Level 3 qualification (2 x A-Levels or equivalent) in addition to 5 GCSE’s including Maths and English at A*-C grades or equivalent. Please note that possession of certain qualifications may impact your eligibility for this opportunity – please see below for further information on this.

Individuals who hold or who are working towards a similar qualification of the same level or higher i.e. Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB or equivalent) or CIPS Level 4 will not be eligible to apply. Candidates who possess unrelated qualifications will be considered.

If you apply and are found to possess any of the above, your application will not be considered and any offer of employment will be withdrawn and your contract terminated. If you are unsure whether you will be eligible for this apprenticeship, please contact [email protected].

Qualifications

By confirming 'yes' you are confirming that:
You hold a Level 3 qualification (2 x A-Levels or equivalent) in addition to 5 GCSE's including Maths and English at A*-C grades or equivalent and;
You do not hold a similar qualification of the same level or higher than the role you are applying for (Commercial Apprenticeship Level 4 or Professional Accounting Apprenticeship Level 4).

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Working Together

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport.

Things you need to know Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Ability and Experience.

We are closely monitoring the situation regarding the coronavirus, and will be following central Government advice as it is issued. There is therefore a risk that recruitment to this post may be subject to change at sort notice. In addition, where appropriate, you may be invited to attend a video interview.

Please continue to follow the application process as normal and ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

The Civil Service Nationality Rules has been updated following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union. The new rules will come into effect on 1st January 2021. We urge people from the EU, European Economic Area and Switzerland to be familiar with the updated Nationality rules prior to applying for this role.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

What we are looking for

To apply for this role you do not need any previous experience of working in a commercially-focused environment as you will gain new skills and experience throughout the apprenticeship programme.

How to apply:

In no more than 750 words please describe how you have demonstrated- either at work, whilst learning in an educational setting or personally - how you are:

• An effective communicator, both verbally and in writing;
• Able to build lasting and productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders;
• Passionate about personal development.

The sift is due to take place w/c 3rd May 2021.

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held w/c 31st May 2021.

This interview will be conducted via an asynchronous (remote) interview, details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

We recommend you view Rebecca, a Senior Resourcing Partner at the Department for Transport’s video below which will give you tips and advice on how to complete your Personal Statement.



Sift Process

• Once you have submitted your short application you will receive a link to access your Civil Service Jobs account to complete a Civil Service Judgement Test (CSJT);
• If you are successful in the CSJT you will receive a notification to access your Civil Service Jobs account to complete a Verbal Reasoning Test (VRT);
• If you are successful in VRT you will receive a notification to access your Civil Service Jobs account to complete a Numerical Reasoning Test (NRT);
• If you are successful at each of the tests, you will be invited to submit your personal statement;
• If you are successful at each of these written and online assessments you will be invited to an interview.

You are encouraged to review the guidance and to complete the practice online tests which are available here:
After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a (Verbal, Numerical and Civil Service Judgement test – delete as required). If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the online tests is 23.55 on 02/05/21. You must complete all three online tests and submit your personal statement before this deadline.
If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment could include:

- an interview, written exercise and a presentation

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Further Information

For more information about the Department for Transport, visit the Application Process page of our Careers website.

To learn more about working at DfT and the Commercial Apprenticeship Route, we are holding a virtual candidate open evening, click here to book your place.

Before submitting your application, we encourage you to visit our Things You Need to Know page for further information about applying for a role within the Department for Transport and the Civil Service.

Throughout this job advert there are links to the DfT Careers website, which provides you further information to support your application. Should you be unable to access the information on our website, please email [email protected] for assistance.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name :   Ellen Cumber Email :   [email protected]   Recruitment team : Email :   [email protected]

Company

Transport matters – what we do matters.

Transport touches the lives of everyone in the country. Across road, rail, air, sea and space, our transport networks affect homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and more. It’s how we deliver goods to our shops, get people to work and reunite with our loved ones. Our staff know how important their work is and how they fit in.

 

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