Council searches for the next apprentice

Teenagers leaving school this summer are being invited to apply to be one of Rochdale Council’s new apprentices, working in the team that processes benefit applications and council tax.

The council is offering five places on a two-year apprenticeship scheme. Successful candidates will be employed by the council at the same time as working towards NVQ’s in Customer Care and Revenues and Benefits.

The scheme is open to all young people aged 16-18 who live in the Rochdale borough.

Councillor Alan Taylor, leader of Rochdale Council, said: “During the recession we’ve seen the number of applications for benefits really increase, so using extra funding from the Government to deal with the demand, we’re looking for young people to join our apprentice scheme. They’ll be helping us to plough through a lot of work and at the same time learning new skills and getting qualifications on the job.”

The council’s Revenues and Benefits team have teamed up with Tameside and Stockport Councils to use their grant to set up the new Apprenticeship Scheme.

Further details can be found on the council website at www.rochdale.gov.uk/jobs. The closing date for applications is 16 July 2009.