Housing Strategy Apprentice

Oldham; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension

Gym discount

Staff discount

Cycle to Work

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Oldham Council is seeking a motivated individual to join the Housing team as an Apprentice Housing Strategy Officer in Spindles Offices, Oldham. You will support Housing Options and Strategy with admin, research and project work, learning public administration and housing policy.

The role offers a 2-year fixed term contract, 36.66 hours per week, with a starting salary of £20,740 rising to £24,296 per year. The apprenticeship will lead to Business Administration Level 3 qualification.

Qualifications

• To succeed in this role, you will be able to: communicate effectively, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy in administrative tasks.
• Willingness to complete Business Admin Level 3 qualification.

Responsibilities

• Follow set processes for setting up projects and raising purchase orders.
• Assist with financial system queries and budget holder support.
• Keep customer records up to date and maintain housing data.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Willingness to complete Level 3

Interest in housing

Education

Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Communities

Housing

Apprentice Housing Strategy Officer

Ref: 001770

Contract: Fixed Term (2 years)

Salary: £20,740 - £24,296 per annum

Hours: 36.66 per week

Location: Spindles Offices, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1LF

Closing Date: Wednesday 21 October 2026

Interview Date: TBC.

Role Overview:

Are you looking to start a rewarding career in Housing while making a real difference in your community?

Join Oldham Council and take the first step in a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that is committed to developing talent and helping you grow. You will be part of a dynamic workplace that values collaboration, innovation and continuous development, giving you every opportunity to build a successful and meaningful career.

As a Housing Apprentice, you will play an important role in supporting our Housing team. The Apprentice Housing Strategy Officer will support the Housing Options and Strategy Teams in delivering efficient, high-quality housing and homelessness services. The postholder will gain valuable experience in public administration, housing policy, customer service, and data management, while developing core business administration skills and behaviours aligned with the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard.

As part of your apprenticeship, you will be setting a strong foundation for future career progression within the Council and the ability to go on to secure permanent roles and advance within the organisation.

If you are ready to learn, grow and make a difference, we would love to hear from you. Join us and be part of something bigger in the Housing Team at Oldham Council.

Key Responsibilities:

• Follow set processes for setting up projects, raising purchase orders,
• Helping budget holders and requisitioners with financial system queries,
• Keeping up to date customer records,
• Support the Housing Strategy team with day-to-day administration, research and project work,
• Use Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams, to prepare documents, spreadsheets and presentations,
• Help gather, check and update housing data, performance information, project trackers and action plans,
• Carry out basic research into local housing needs, homelessness, affordable housing, private renting and supported accommodation,
• Assist with preparing housing strategies, policies, briefing notes, consultations and service information,
• Support consultation and engagement activities with residents, housing providers, landlords and partner organisations,
• Help organise meetings and events, including preparing papers, taking notes and recording actions.

Key Requirements:

To succeed in this role, you will be able to:

• A desire to work within a business office environment and an a keen interest in housing is essential, homelessness desirable,
• A good level of communication skills, written and verbal,
• Attention to detail, working accurately, and consistently striving for excellence,
• Willingness to complete Business Admin Level 3 qualification

About Us:

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We've identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact:

A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.

We're looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions and we encourage you to download our Corporate Plan: Ready for the Future and our Oldham Plan for further information.

Our Values and Behaviours:

By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are 'Proud, Ambitious, and Together', and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.

We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out:

• Work with a resident focus
• Support local leaders
• Committed to the borough
• Delivery high performance
• Take ownership and drive change

You can find out more about our values and behaviours on our greater.jobs Oldham page.

Our Benefits Package:

At Oldham Council we offer a great benefits package for our employees, which includes the following:

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years' service
• The option to purchase additional annual leave.
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Staff recognition and celebration events.
• Peer support groups

Inclusive Recruitment:

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme please indicate this within the 'About You' or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.

If you're an applicant with disabilities and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer, someone who has served in the Armed Forces, or you've participated in the GM Elevate Programme, and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme.

Data and Privacy:

For details of how we use your data please see our Privacy Notice

Important Information:

Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.

Right to Work in the UK from 1st July 2021.doc