At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver excellent customer service and gain practical skills in a busy environment.
- Company: Chorley Council, dedicated to community well-being and first-class services.
- Benefits: 25 days leave, hybrid working, healthcare cash plan, and flexible arrangements.
- Other info: Gain a nationally recognised qualification while earning a competitive salary.
- Why this job: Build confidence, learn new skills, and make a real difference in your community.
- Qualifications: Interest in local government, good IT skills, and effective communication.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 20000 £ per year.
About The Role
Location: Chorley and Leyland
Contract: 2 year apprenticeship
Salary: £23,080 to £23,817
Closing Date: 11 January 2026
Our Customer Services Apprenticeship isn’t just for those starting out — it’s designed for anyone looking to build confidence, learn new skills, and open doors to fresh opportunities. Whether you’re ready for a career change or want to strengthen your experience, this programme gives you practical training, a nationally recognised qualification, and the chance to make a real difference in your community (all while you’re earning a great salary)! During the apprenticeship, you’ll gain practical skills to deliver excellent customer service, while completing a City & Guilds Level 2 Customer Services qualification.
What you’ll be getting up to:
- You’ll be delivering quality services and making a difference to our customers.
- You’ll be responding to all types of customer contact including phone and face‑to‑face as well as supporting other digital contact from our residents.
- You’ll be dealing with licensing applications, land charge enquiries or helping people who have been recently bereaved.
- Completing an Apprenticeship qualification and gaining experience in a busy customer services setting.
Who we’re looking for:
- We’re looking for someone who has an interest in local government, always aims to deliver excellent customer standards, and wants to gain skills to support and make a difference to our communities.
- You’ll understand how technology and digital services can help provide excellent customer service as well as good IT skills.
- You’ll also be able to communicate effectively, work under pressure and use initiative to organise and prioritise your own workload.
Other requirements:
- Successful applicants will be subject to a DBS check (applied and paid for by the Council).
Our Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (and Christmas shutdown).
- Hybrid/agile working.
- Local Government pension.
- Healthcare Cash Plan for cash back on health treatments.
- Cashback website access for savings on brands you love.
- Volunteering days.
- Free parking.
Many of our colleagues work flexibly for us. We’re always open to conversations around different working arrangements. If you’re interested in part‑time, compressed hours or any other working arrangement, please get in touch with us through the “Contact Us” form on our careers website.
About Us
Chorley Council is dedicated to providing first‑class services and promoting the well‑being of the local community. Our staff are our greatest resource, at the heart of everything we do, and are crucial to the delivery of excellent services for our residents. At Chorley Council, we’re always striving to make our borough the best to live, work and visit.
Working Together
We share a number of our services with South Ribble Borough Council. This allows for improved resilience across both councils and provides numerous benefits to our operations. Whilst some staff and back‑end processes are shared between the Councils, both Councils still retain sovereignty and have separate strategies and corporate plans.
Additional information:
Applicants are advised to apply early. We reserve the right to close a vacancy prior to the closing date. Interviews are planned for week commencing 19 January 2026.
Equal Opportunities:
We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to the elimination of unfair and unlawful discrimination and prejudice in all our policies, procedures, and practices. We’re committed to making our recruitment practices barrier‑free and accessible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long‑term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process, please contact us via the “Contact Us” page on our website. If you are disabled or your last employer was the armed forces, and you meet all the essential criteria of a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Customer Services Apprentice in Chorley employer: Chorley Council
Chorley Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive environment for Customer Services Apprentices to thrive. With a commitment to employee well-being, the council provides generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, a local government pension, and opportunities for flexible working arrangements. This apprenticeship not only equips you with valuable skills and a recognised qualification but also allows you to make a meaningful impact in your community while enjoying a collaborative and inclusive work culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Services Apprentice in Chorley
✨Get to Know the Company Culture
Before jumping into applications, it’s super helpful to understand the vibe at Chorley Council. Check out their social media, read reviews on sites like Glassdoor, and see how they engage with customers. It'll give you clues on their values and help tailor your conversation during interviews.
✨Join Customer Support Communities
Dive into online communities like those on Reddit or LinkedIn where customer support pros hang out. Participating in discussions or asking questions can make you more visible to potential recruiters and help you learn about job openings at companies like Chorley Council before they even post them.
✨Attend Job Fairs or Networking Events
Look out for local job fairs or events specifically for customer support roles. This is your chance to meet hiring managers face-to-face, and you might even get the opportunity to interview on the spot!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Customer Interactions
In the customer support world, showcasing your communication skills is key. Consider creating a short video introducing yourself or even doing a mock call to showcase your abilities. It's a memorable way to stand out, especially if you can share this during your interview process!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Services Apprentice in Chorley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, clear communication is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you've had in customer-facing roles and your ability to resolve issues. Don't shy away from including specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to help customers – this really shows your potential in the role.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Chorley Council:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you want to work at Chorley Council specifically. Mention any unique aspects of our company that resonate with you and how your skills can enhance our customer support. This personal touch will set your application apart from the rest!
Highlight Any Relevant Tools or Tech Skills:If you've used customer support software like Zendesk or Freshdesk or have experience with CRM systems, make sure to mention these in your application. Being familiar with industry-standard tools can be a big plus for us when we’re reviewing applications, as it shows you can hit the ground running!
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills:Customer support roles often require a knack for problem-solving. In your application, share examples of past experiences where you've tackled tough situations or resolved conflicts effectively. This will give us a good sense of how you handle challenges—an essential skill for success at Chorley Council!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chorley Council
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In customer support, it's all about communicating effectively. Prepare to share instances from your past experiences where you handled difficult customers or resolved conflicts. We want to hear how you empathised and found the best solutions, so think of specific examples to back up your stories!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk, and make sure to review how you’ve used any similar systems in the past. During the interview, being able to discuss your hands-on experience with software or ticketing systems can really set you apart from the competition, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Show Genuine Enthusiasm
As this is a full-time role, employers want someone who isn’t just looking for any job, but wants to grow within customer support. Make sure to express your enthusiasm for helping customers and your desire to develop your skills. Show them why you're passionate about this field!
✨Practice Common Scenarios
Be prepared for role-playing scenarios where you might have to reassess a solution with a frustrated customer or explain a complex process in simple terms. Practising these common scenarios can help us feel more confident and demonstrate our practical skills effectively during the interview.
