At a Glance
- Tasks: Support customers with payment arrangements and help collect funds for vital community services.
- Company: Join Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, a friendly team making a real difference.
- Benefits: Earn while you learn, enjoy 27 days leave, and access mentoring and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible working options after probation and clear progression opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in a role that combines communication, problem-solving, and community impact.
- Qualifications: No specific experience needed; just a passion for helping others and good communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 12.21 - 12.21 £ per hour.
Are you motivated, organised and an excellent communicator? Do you want to join a friendly and hardworking team who will support you to succeed? Are you ready to kickstart your career, earn while you learn, and make a real difference in your community? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
We are delighted to be recruiting an Apprentice Income Collection Officer to join our team at Stockton‑on‑Tees Borough Council, on a 15‑month apprenticeship. At Stockton‑on‑Tees Borough Council, we work as one team to support our community and make a real difference. In this role, every task you take on contributes to improving services and helping local people. Whether you're just starting out or changing your career, our apprenticeships will give you the foundation to build a meaningful career in Revenues, Benefits and Welfare.
What will you be doing?
Our Income Collection team undertakes recovery and enforcement action to maximise the collection of monies owed to the Council. You’ll be balancing supporting customers with taking appropriate action where required. In this role, you will:
- Proactively contact customers over the phone and via email, as well as take incoming calls
- Agree suitable and realistic payment arrangements
- Assist in the processing of claims in breathing space and insolvency
- Assess individual circumstances to determine the most suitable recovery approach, including setting up deductions, progressing enforcement referrals, and supporting court action where necessary.
- Work with colleagues across the Council to support income collection
- Study for a Level 3 Senior credit controller and debt collection specialist
This is a varied role with a mix of telephone work, administration, and problem‑solving. This role involves frequent telephone contact, including having sometimes challenging conversations about money owed, so confidence in speaking with customers is essential.
Why Income Collection?
A career in income collection offers the opportunity to make a difference while building valuable, transferable skills. It’s a role that combines working with people and problem‑solving, where you help individuals find realistic ways to manage and repay money owed. You’ll develop strong communication, negotiation, and analytical skills, while gaining experience in customer service and within Revenues, Benefits and Welfare services. This area offers clear progression opportunities and can be a rewarding career path for those who want to support others while developing professionally. You’ll support customers to manage their repayments and financial situation while ensuring money owed to the Council is collected, helping to fund vital services for our community.
What skills and experience do you need?
You don’t need any specific experience to apply as we will provide full training and support. However, we are looking for someone who is passionate about working for our residents and has the following:
- Minimum qualifications of English and Maths at Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE grade 4/C or above / Functional Skills Level 2)
- Confidence using the phone, listening carefully, and agreeing payment arrangements with sometimes challenging customers
- Good communication and teamwork skills
- Commitment to the full duration of the apprenticeship, showing reliability, motivation, and readiness to balance work and study responsibilities
- Willingness to learn and develop new skills – apprenticeships are designed for those ready to grow through hands‑on experience and training
Please outline in your personal statement how you meet these criteria.
What can we offer you?
We offer our apprentices an excellent reward package including:
- Earning a salary while gaining a nationally recognised qualification
- 27 days annual leave per year (plus bank holidays)
- Access to mentoring, training, and personal development opportunities
- Discounts at high street and online retailers
- Free physiotherapy and counselling services plus many other wellbeing benefits
- Work in our newly renovated town centre office, overlooking the river and the new Waterfront Park
- Options to work part of your week from home following completion of a 6‑month probationary period
We pay our apprentices National Minimum Wage for Age:
- Age 21 and over = £12.21 per hour
- Age 18 to 20 = £10.00 per hour
- Under 18 = £7.55 per hour
For more detailed information about the role, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification included in the Supporting Documents section. We anticipate that interviews will take place on either the 28th or 29th July.
Ready to apply? We look forward to hearing from you. If you would like an informal discussion about the post, please contact: Nicola Ayre – Assistant Manager, Income Collection N.Ayre@stockton.gov.uk To apply, click ‘Apply now’ to submit your application. Please note that we’re unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role, so candidates will need to have an existing right to work in the UK.
Apprentice Income Collection Officer employer: North East Ambition
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its apprentices, offering a supportive work culture where teamwork and community impact are at the forefront. With a comprehensive benefits package including a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and access to mentoring and personal development opportunities, this role not only provides valuable hands-on experience but also paves the way for a rewarding career in Revenues, Benefits and Welfare. Working in a newly renovated office with stunning views, you'll be part of a dedicated team making a real difference in the lives of local residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Apprentice Income Collection Officer
✨Get Involved with Campus Recruitment Events
Apprenticeships in banking and financial services often come through campus recruitment days. Keep an eye out for events hosted by your university or local banks, as these can be golden opportunities for us to meet recruiters face-to-face and make a great first impression.
✨Engage with Professional Bodies
Join organisations like the Institute of Chartered Accountants or the Chartered Institute of Banking. These memberships can provide valuable resources and networking opportunities, plus, they often have dedicated sections for apprenticeships and early-career roles that can point us in the right direction.
✨Follow the Right Companies on Social Media
Banks and financial services firms love to share their stories on social media! Follow companies like North East Ambition to keep up with their latest apprenticeship opportunities and insider news. Engaging with their posts could give us an edge when it comes to the application.
✨Utilise Your University’s Career Service
Your university's career service is a treasure trove of information for apprenticeships in banking. They often have connections to employers like North East Ambition, so don't hesitate to tap into their resources and advice!
We think you need these skills to ace Apprentice Income Collection Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Maths Skills:In the banking and financial services sector, being good with numbers is a must! Make sure to highlight any relevant maths qualifications or experience in your application, as well as any projects or coursework that demonstrate your analytical skills.
Emphasise Your Willingness to Learn:As this is an apprenticeship, companies like North East Ambition want to see your enthusiasm for the industry and your eagerness to learn. In your cover letter, chat about why you’re interested in banking and any specific areas you’re excited to explore. Show them that you’re ready to soak up knowledge like a sponge!
Highlight Relevant Experience (Even If It's Limited):Whether it's a part-time job, volunteer experience, or even a school project, mention any relevant experience related to banking or finance. This could include customer service roles or any projects where you handled budgeting. We’re all about showing how you can apply your skills, even if they’re from unconventional backgrounds.
Tailor Your CV for Impact:Make sure your CV isn’t just a list of duties. Tailor it to reflect skills that appeal to financial services, like attention to detail and communication skills. Don’t forget to keep it clear and concise, showing how you’re a perfect fit for the apprenticeship at North East Ambition!
How to prepare for a job interview at North East Ambition
✨Brush Up on Financial Principles
Since you're diving into the banking and financial sector with an apprenticeship, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with key concepts like interest rates, investment strategies, and basic financial accounting. Make sure you can share your understanding of these principles during the interview, as they'll likely pop up in practical scenarios.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
In the world of banking, interviewers love to throw real-world scenarios at you. Prepare for questions that ask how you'd handle customer inquiries or solve financial challenges. Practising these types of situational responses can really showcase your problem-solving skills and customer service abilities, both of which are essential in this field.
✨Show Your Eagerness to Learn
As an apprenticeship candidate, what's going to set you apart is your motivation to learn and grow in the role. Be sure to express your excitement about entering the banking world and highlight any steps you've already taken to educate yourself, whether through courses, workshops, or relevant hobbies.
✨Prepare Your Questions About Company Culture
When interviewing with North East Ambition, don’t shy away from asking about their company culture and training programmes for apprentices. This shows that you're not only focused on the role but also interested in how you'll fit within the team, which is a major factor for your future success in the apprenticeship.
