Apprenticeships combine on the job training with nationally recognised qualifications. There's a whole range of career opportunities in public services across Dorset.
If you'd love a job outdoors gaining 26 months paid experience and achieving the new Level 4 Apprentice qualification alongside other vocational qualifications, then this apprenticeship is for you. Learn more about Countryside worker and Countryside ranger Apprenticeships.
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If you are considering becoming an apprentice - or know someone who is - then check out more information about apprenticeships and traineeships, watch our videos to get inspired or read our case studies:
Dorset Council Partnership was made up of the former North Dorset District Council, the former West Dorset District Council and the former Weymouth & Portland Borough Council. As fo the 1 April 2019, they are all now a part of Dorset Council.
I completed my GCSE's in 2016 as a student of The Blandford School. I passed all my exams at grade C and above. I was very happy with the results as I did much better than I thought.
Once I knew the results I started to think about what I wanted to do for the following two years. I had the options of attending school, college or doing an apprenticeship. My initial thought was to go to college like the majority of my friends. I then decided to attend an introduction session for mechanics and electrical engineering at Poole and Bournemouth College. I also decided to have a look into the apprenticeship scheme and chose to pursue that option.
My sister, who had completed an apprenticeship at Dorset County Council*, recommended a website that she used to find her apprenticeship. Using the site I found my current apprenticeship. As I enjoyed studying business studies for my GCSE’S I thought working in a business environment would be suitable.
I am now five months into my apprenticeship which I am really enjoying. I work for a new team called Shared Services that was formed in April 2016. I have a range of different roles within the Adult and Community Services directorate and the work is varied.
Overall I have learnt many new skills and met lots of new people. I also feel that my confidence has grown and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the apprenticeship brings.
The experience has been incredible so far. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about the heritage sector, an area I knew very little about, and the huge range of career paths within it. I feel I have learned so many new skills thus far, and improved ten-fold on countless more.
Prior to beginning my apprenticeship, I studied at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne Minster. History has always been a passion of mine and I knew I wanted to pursue a career in this field. I heard about the apprenticeship from my younger brother. He was still attending QES at the time and received an email from the careers adviser, advertising the apprenticeship to students. Knowing I am a big history fan, he forwarded the email to me. I was previously unaware that apprenticeships were offered in the heritage sector and so had never investigated that area of further education. My A-Level results would have enabled me to go to university but I had previously decided it wasn’t for me. The apprenticeship offered me the opportunity to experience many different areas within the heritage sector. It was the sort of opportunity I had imagined, but I had no idea even existed! Initially the connection with Dorset County Council (DCC)* didn’t influence my decision to apply because the apprenticeship offered me all the opportunities I was looking for, however I am now proud to be an employee of DCC. Throughout my two-year apprenticeship, I will be based for eight months at each of the partner locations: Dorset History Centre; The Priest House Museum; and Kingston Lacy. I am excited to discover different career paths, and ultimately use the skills and knowledge I gain to pursue the vocation of my choosing. It’s a pleasure to meet and work alongside people who share my interests. Working with the different teams in each location has improved my confidence and people skills immensely. I am currently half way through my placement in the Priest’s House Museum. Whilst working here, I have organised the Halloween activity day and put on an exhibition based on the theme “Food for Thought”. It has been interesting to learn about exhibition and event management in a community museum environment, and to be given the opportunity to apply this knowledge. I also regularly work alongside the staff and volunteers to provide activity sessions for visiting schools. It has been great to work with children; the Victorian laundry day session is particularly fun. Each day at the museum varies so much from the last! It has been an amazing few months so far. I’m honoured to have been given such an opportunity and I can’t wait to see what the next 2 years brings!
I endorse apprenticeships to everyone I meet, they provide such a varied and enjoyable way of learning.
*Dorset County Council is now a part of Dorset Council.
