Social Value Apprentice

Manchester Arndale; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 16,000; Full time

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is recruiting an ESG Apprentice to support our ESG Plan across social value and environmental initiatives for our rail client. You will help drive volunteering, schools engagement, inclusive recruitment and work experience while contributing to carbon reduction, recycling, and greener travel.

The role includes completing the Level 4 Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Apprenticeship over 24 months plus End Point Assessment, with weekly learning time; supported by mentors

Qualifications

• Apprenticeship in Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability context is provided.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate volunteering opportunities for OCS colleagues, including school visits, employability workshops, and community projects.
• Develop relationships with local schools and colleges to deliver careers talks, CV workshops, and employability sessions.
• Support delivery of work experience placements for young people, creating structured and engaging programmes.
• Work with employability partners to promote inclusive recruitment, supporting pathways into work for under-represented groups.
• Help collect and analyse data on emissions, promoting greener travel options, and increasing recycling rates.

Job description

About The Company

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values -Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

• Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.
• Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.
• Retail Perks With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.
• Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!
• Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

About The Role

Working Pattern

Monday - Thurday 9am - 5pm

We are committed to leaving a positive legacy for the communities served by our rail client. To support this, OCS is recruiting an ESG Apprentice to help deliver our ESG Plan.

This role is a unique opportunity for someone passionate about people, places, and the planet. You will help drive forward our commitments on the social side, including volunteering, schools engagement, inclusive recruitment, and work experience, while also contributing to environmental initiatives such as reducing carbon emissions, improving recycling, and supporting green travel.

Alongside these responsibilities, you will complete the Level 4 Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Apprenticeship, giving you the knowledge and skills to build a career in ESG, social impact, and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Community & Social Value

• Coordinate volunteering opportunities for OCS colleagues, including school visits, employability workshops, and community projects.
• Develop relationships with local schools and colleges to deliver careers talks, CV workshops, and employability sessions.
• Support delivery of work experience placements for young people, creating structured and engaging programmes.
• Work with employability partners to promote inclusive recruitment, supporting pathways into work for under-represented groups.

Environmental Sustainability

• Support with the Carbon Impact Assessment by helping collect and analyse data on emissions from transport, energy, and operations
• Promote greener travel options for colleagues (e.g. cycle-to-work, public transport, low-carbon commuting).
• Assist with initiatives to increase recycling rates and reduce waste across stations and operations, including plastics reduction and responsible disposal
• Help raise awareness of sustainability campaigns among colleagues and local communities.

Data & Reporting

• Record delivery of social value and environmental commitments in the Social Value Portal.
• Assist with producing progress reports, presentations, and case studies for the Rail client, stakeholders, and the community.
• Gather evidence and feedback to demonstrate impact and continuous improvement.

Personal Development

• Dedicate weekly time (minimum 6 hours) to apprenticeship learning, applying your knowledge to live projects.
• Develop skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, communication, and ESG data analysis.
• Work with mentors and senior managers to gain insight into both the social and environmental dimensions of ESG.

Apprenticeship Programme

As part of your role, you will complete the Level 4 Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Apprenticeship, covering:

• Community and stakeholder engagement.
• Delivering and reporting on social value initiatives.
• Understanding carbon impacts and reduction strategies.
• Waste and recycling management.
• Collecting, analysing, and presenting ESG data.
• Project and change management for sustainability.
• Developing and publishing ESG reports.

The programme lasts 24 months + End Point Assessment and is aligned to the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (ICRS) Competency Framework.

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.