Digital Trainee-Apprentice
Fixed Term, Full Time
£15,435 increasing to £24,522 in the second year
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 12th April 2026
Are you eager to combine paid work with study to earn a qualification? Do you want to join a strong team dedicated to transforming digital in Local Government? If so, this opportunity might be perfect for you! Essex Digital Services are seeking Digital Apprentices join our dynamic team.
What our Apprentice’s say:
“The best part of being an apprentice is the hands-on experience. At Essex you get to work on real projects, solve actual problems, and learn directly from experienced professionals. It's the fastest way to grow your skills and confidence with support from all angles.”
Jack – Apprentice from the 2023 cohort.
About Us:
From the moment someone logs on, pays a bill, books an appointment or accesses support, our digital service is there — we power the everyday. We’re not just behind the scenes but we’re at the heart of how our residents and colleagues live, work and connect.
As connectors and enablers, we remove barriers, simplify experiences and make it safer and easier for people to get what they need, when they need it. We power the everyday for residents and colleagues.
We have our guiding North Star which encapsulates our strategy, giving us a clear direction of travel and a way of storytelling where we are headed, what our priorities are and how we envisage getting there.
We all play a vital role, we all bring value and we all must count on each other to deliver together. We have a great mix of experience, skills and perspectives that make us a talented and innovative team. It’s an exciting time to be part of Essex Digital Services (EDS).
The Digital Trainee is an entry level role to Essex Digital Services providing an opportunity for career development in a role in our digital servicesTrainees will follow an agreed development programme that identifies the most suitable career path based on the aptitude and developing capability of the individual trainee.
Benefits:
- Healthy work life balance; flexible and hybrid working options
- Wide range of learning and development opportunities
- 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + option to purchase extra
- Generous Local Government Salary related pension scheme
- Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Rewards
- Access to our health and wellbeing support platform with LifeWorks
- Disability Confident Leader: we’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job
- Up to 4 days per annum volunteering leave
- Employee support networks, to ensure everyone in treated with dignity and respect
- A fully funded IT Solutions Technician Level 3 qualification delivered online over 18 months by our partnered training provider, ACL
Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees. More information can be found here pay and reward.
As an ‘Anywhere Worker’ role, there will be a combination of onsite and remote working. There is an expectation that you will be required to work onsite up to 3 days each week.
About You:
You will:
Service/Functional Accountabilities
- Work collaboratively with different areas across EDS on a development programme for a specified period of time in each EDS area to gain an understanding of the service before agreeing the most appropriate career path.
- Whilst working within each team ensure they meet the objectives of the role agreed and deliver work within agreed timescales to be able to demonstrate learning and acumen for Digital
- Utilises experience gained within each team to help improve EDS to ensure we deliver digital services that are designed and delivered with a clear focus on the needs of our users.
- Ensure delivery of requirements agreed in the personal development plan including any external training, assessment or examination needed to be successful.
- Responsible for agreeing a personal development plan with the Professional Development Officer that addresses the specific needs of an agreed chosen career path.
- Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
Essential Requirements for the role:
- Educated to A Level or on a career path to attain a relevant IT qualification
- An understanding of the commitment to continual professional development to keep pace with technical and business change and acceptance of working to meet agreed competencies.
- Computer literate with a good understanding and capability in standard MS Office applications
- Enthusiastic and able to demonstrate a determination to succeed in the EDS
- Good written, verbal and presentational skills
- Good customer service skills
Please note that we must be provided with your education certificates at the final stage of the recruitment process. If you have international equivalent qualifications, a NARIC Statement of Comparability must be provided. If you do not already hold one you can purchase online – you can find more information here: Statement of Comparability (enic.org.uk).
Start date for this role will be 1st September 2026.
How to apply:
You MUST submit a supporting statement along with your CV detailing why you have applied and what you feel you could bring to this role. Applications without a supporting statement will be closed without consideration.
If you are interested in finding out more about this role or require further information, we would love to hear from you. Please email: Jamielea.wallis@Essex.gov.uk
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
To read more about us please visit:
Corporate Services: Corporate Services - Working for Essex
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community
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