At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Planning Service with data management and digital tools while learning valuable skills.
- Company: Lewisham Council, a diverse and inclusive employer committed to community impact.
- Benefits: Great training, flexible working, pension scheme, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for site visits and career growth.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in planning and digital skills that make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Good maths and communication skills; interest in IT and digital tools.
The predicted salary is between 27010 - 27010 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
Are you interested in developing digital skills while supporting the day-to-day work of a busy Planning Service? As a Land Charges Apprentice in the Business Improvement Team, you will help with the regular administrative, data and system tasks that keep the service running smoothly. You will support colleagues by maintaining accurate records, preparing routine reports, organising digital information and will be taught to use tools such as Excel, Power BI, GIS mapping and planning back-office systems to improve how information is managed and shared.
Your duties will include:
- Supporting routine Business as Usual activity across Planning, including updating spreadsheets and planning system records
- Checking and improving data quality
- Creating and maintaining searchable digital documents
- Organising digital files and online libraries
- Running weekly casework and performance reports
- Assisting with Land Charges and planning records work
- Responding to straightforward enquiries
- Setting up meetings
- Taught how to prepare guidance notes and presentations
You will learn to support dashboard and report maintenance in Power BI, assist with GIS mapping tasks, identify locations on maps and contribute to practical digital improvements that help the service work more efficiently. You will work with experienced colleagues in the Business Improvement Team and wider Planning Service, learning how digital skills are applied in everyday service delivery. This is a practical apprenticeship where you will build confidence in data handling, reporting, mapping, digital records management and planning systems while supporting essential operational work. As you progress, you will have the opportunity to develop your understanding of Planning, contribute to service improvements while gaining a qualification.
What’s in it for you? Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
- Local Government Pension scheme
- Flexible working and family friendly policies
- Season ticket and bicycle loans
- A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
- Supportive staff networks
We are looking for someone with good maths and communication skills, with an interest in IT, who is keen to learn how digital tools support everyday Planning work. You should be organised, accurate, curious and willing to solve practical problems. You will need to have an understanding of spreadsheets, the ability to follow instructions carefully, checking information for accuracy, managing routine tasks and adapt to changing priorities in a busy service. An interest in data, Power BI, GIS, digital records and planning systems would be helpful, but full support and training will be provided.
Location: We operate a hybrid approach whereby you will be required to work both in the office, primarily based in Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, London, SE6 4RU and from home. Currently you will be required to be in the office at least 2 days a week, although this is determined by service requirements. The successful apprentice may, on occasions, work with other teams across Planning to support routine digital, GIS, reporting, records and business improvement activity. There may also be opportunities to accompany officers on site visits to understand how planning data, maps and casework are used in practice.
Special conditions:
- Must be a Lewisham borough resident, all apprenticeships are ringfenced for Lewisham Borough residents only
- You must be 16 and above
- You must have Maths and English grade 4 and above or grade C and above
- You must answer all application questions, use the person specification section of the application form to write your answers
£27,010 LLW per annum
Diversity: Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply
Apprentice Land Charges employer: Borough of Lewisham
Join Lewisham Council as an Apprentice Land Charges and immerse yourself in a vibrant community that values diversity and inclusion. With excellent training opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive work culture, you will gain practical digital skills while contributing to meaningful service improvements. Enjoy benefits such as a Local Government Pension scheme, staff discounts, and the chance to work alongside experienced colleagues in a dynamic environment dedicated to making a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Apprentice Land Charges
✨Get Involved in Data Science Communities
Dive into online forums like Kaggle or GitHub where data science enthusiasts hang out. Participating in competitions or contributing to open-source projects can really make you stand out and show off your skills!
✨Tap Into University Resources
Your uni career services are gold mines for apprenticeships! Attend any workshops or career fairs they host; you might just bump into employers looking to scout fresh talent for programmes like the one at Borough of Lewisham.
✨Work on Real-World Data Projects
Create your own data science projects or collaborate with classmates on interesting datasets. This not only sharpens your skills but also gives you something to showcase during interviews, setting you apart from the competition.
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Don’t just rely on formal applications! Write blog posts about your data science journey or share insights on social media. This can catch the eye of Borough of Lewisham and show them you’re genuinely passionate about the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Apprentice Land Charges
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Relevant Skills:For a data science apprenticeship, make sure to highlight your skills in statistics, programming (especially Python or R), and data visualisation tools. Mention any relevant projects or coursework where you've applied these skills, even if it’s just in a school setting!
Tailor Your Motivation:In your cover letter, focus on why you want to dive into data science specifically. Share how this apprenticeship aligns with your career goals and learning aspirations. Remember, this is about showing us at Borough of Lewisham that you're eager to learn and grow in the data field!
Portfolio Power!:Even if it's an apprenticeship, having a small portfolio of your data projects can set you apart. Include any analyses, visualisations, or data science-related tasks you’ve completed, whether on your own or as part of your studies. This shows that you've got hands-on experience, which is super appealing.
Keep It Relevant and Concise:Your CV should be focused and relevant – keep it to one page if possible! Tailor it for the data science role by including specific coursework, skills, and any experience with data handling. If you’ve done any data-related activities in clubs or competitions, throw those in too—every bit counts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Lewisham
✨Brush Up on the Basics
Before your interview with Borough of Lewisham, we need to nail down the fundamentals of statistics and machine learning. As an apprenticeship candidate, they’ll be keen on your understanding of key concepts—so make sure you can talk about linear regression, classification, and maybe even some hands-on work with tools like Python or R.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring any portfolios or projects you've worked on that highlight your data analysis skills. Even if they're for school or personal projects, being able to demonstrate how you approached a problem, analysed data, and derived insights will give you a leg up. Don't just talk about the data—show them what you've done with it!
✨Get Comfortable with Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions that test your problem-solving skills! You might be asked to explain how you would approach a specific dataset or solve a classic data challenge. Practise explaining your thought processes clearly, as this will showcase your analytical abilities as well as your ability to communicate complex ideas.
✨Emphasise Your Willingness to Learn
As an apprentice, your eagerness to learn is your biggest asset. Be prepared to discuss what you're looking to gain from the apprenticeship at Borough of Lewisham. Whether it's mastering new programming tools or applying theoretical knowledge to real-life problems, let them know you're all about growing your skills and contributing to the team!
