Highways Maintenance Skilled Operative Apprenticeship Level 2 - APR40 in Penrith

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job reference: REQ00000019674

Date posted: 02/03/2026

Application closing date: 22/03/2026

Location: PENRITH

Salary: £8.00 per hour

Contractual hours: 37

Basis: Apprentice

Highways Maintenance Skilled Operative Apprenticeship Level 2 - APR40

Salary: National Apprenticeship Rate of £8.00 per hour

Apprentices are entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they are aged 19 or over and have completed the first year of their apprenticeship.

Location: Skirsgill Depot, Penrith

Contract Type: Fixed term apprenticeship contract

Hours worked: 37 hours per week

Expected Start Date: September 2026

About this opportunity:

Would you like to achieve a nationally recognised qualification and gain practical, on-the-job experience at the same time? Then an apprenticeship with Westmorland and Furness Council could be for you! Are you ready to play a key role in keeping our roads safe and well maintained? Join our Highways Service as an apprentice and dive into the dynamic world of infrastructure maintenance. You’ll be at the heart of ensuring that one of the most crucial assets, our highways network, runs smoothly and reliably for all who use it.

You’ll gain hands-on experience in a variety of essential activities, including the maintenance, inspection, and repair of carriageways, footways, bridges, and structures. You’ll also have the chance to work on vital highways and drainage projects and assist with some winter maintenance tasks, ensuring that our roads remain accessible and safe all year-round.

As a Highways Maintenance Skilled Operative Apprentice with Westmorland and Furness Council, you will benefit from high-quality training and development opportunities, personalised support from managers and mentors, and the chance to work alongside skilled and experienced staff. This hands-on experience will allow you to gain valuable job-specific knowledge and transferable skills, setting you up for a successful and rewarding career.

This is a fantastic opportunity to build your skills and make a real difference for local communities, all while working in a supportive, growth environment. Your journey in highways maintenance begins here!

What you’ll gain:

• High quality training and a recognised apprenticeship qualification
• Personalised support from managers and mentors
• A friendly, supportive team environment
• Real experience that builds your confidence, skills, and future career prospects

This hands-on experience will help you build valuable technical knowledge and transferable skills, setting you up for a strong and rewarding career.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for enthusiastic and self-motivated individuals to join our team as apprentices. The ideal candidate will have a good standard of English, Maths and ICT, as well as a strong willingness to learn and grow. You should be a team player with excellent communication, organisational and time management skills, along with a keen eye for detail and a positive, flexible attitude. If you’re eager to develop new skills and take on responsibility while working in a supportive environment, we would love to hear from you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes.

For more information about life as an apprentice at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site.

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, including responsibilities and essential criteria, please view the Apprenticeship Description below.

If you have any queries about this role, would like an informal chat about the opportunity, or need any support with your application, please contact our apprenticeship team on 01539 713434 or at apprentice@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Application and Interview information:

Closing date for applications: Sunday 22nd March 2026

Interview Date: 13th April to 1st May 2026

We are currently holding interviews in person. Candidates invited to interview will be given full details of the interview location. If you have any concerns or require any support during the interview process, we are more than happy to discuss this with you.

Support or adjustments for your interview:

If you need any support or adjustments for your interview, please just let us know. We’ll be happy to talk this through with you confidentially.

How to Apply:

If you would like to apply for this apprenticeship, you must:

• Read all supporting information carefully, including the Apprenticeship Description, as this will help you complete your application.
• Complete the online application form.
• Use your application form to clearly demonstrate that you either already have, or are willing to develop, the knowledge, skills, behaviours, and Council values required for this apprenticeship.

Safer Recruitment:

At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:

Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this job are guaranteed an interview. We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans, as well as to applicants who are care-experienced and under 24 years old, provided they meet the essential criteria for the role.