Youth Development Apprentice

Nottingham City Council; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Defined benefit pension

Smart Working

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted memberships

Job summary

Nottingham City Council is offering a youth work apprenticeship that combines paid work with a fully funded Level 6 degree at Nottingham Trent University. You will work across citywide hubs, delivering engaging sessions to young people and supporting their development.

Starting salary is £28,598 rising to £31,022 per annum (pro rata for part-time), with a 37-hour week and day/evening shifts. The apprenticeship runs for about three years, ending 31 October 2029, with training and mentoring

Qualifications

• Be aged 18 years or over at the start of the apprenticeship.
• Employed for a minimum of 15 hours per week for the full duration of the apprenticeship (ending 31 October 2029).
• Demonstrate motivation and ability to study at degree level.

Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging sessions and build positive relationships with young people.
• Support personal development and wellbeing of young people.
• Work flexibly across connected youth hubs and gain varied experience.
• Study for a fully funded Level 6 Youth Work Degree at NTU alongside work.
• You will know the next course starts January 2027 and must complete six hours of online learning every alternate week.

Skills

Motivation to learn

Time management

Organisational skills

Youth work experience

Education

Level 3 qualification (NYA Level 3 Youth Work)

Level 6 Youth Work Degree (NTU)

Tools

Online learning platforms

Job description

Nottingham City Council

Job Description

Nottingham City Council

Contract Type: Fixed-term (approximately 3 years) - End Date: 31/10/2029

Working Hours: 37 hours per week post– This will include day and evenings work, finishing at 9.30pm

Worker Type: Onsite Worker

Salary: £28,598 (Level one) rising to £31,022 (Level three) per annum (pro rata for part-time) Pay award pending

Location: Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG (City wide working)

Start a career that truly makes a difference. Earn while you learn with Nottingham City Council and gain a degree in Youth Work from Nottingham Trent University.

This exciting apprenticeship offers the opportunity to build a professional career while working directly with young people across a network of vibrant youth hubs. You'll be part of an ambitious, citywide service delivering an integrated, open-access offer across multiple centres.

Working alongside experienced youth workers, you will deliver engaging sessions, build positive and trusted relationships with young people, and support their personal development and wellbeing. You'll work flexibly across connected youth hubs, gaining varied experience while helping to identify and support those who may need additional help.

As part of the apprenticeship, you will study for a fully funded Level 6 Youth Work Degree at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), combining academic learning with hands‑on experience.

What You'll Learn

Key themes covered during the apprenticeship include:

• Youth culture
• Education and transition
• Youth crime and risk‑taking behaviours
• Health and wellbeing
• Citizenship
• Social mobility

Study Commitment

The face‑to‑face teaching element will take place at NTU Mansfield Campus (NG18 5BH) one day every two weeks, with the next course expected to start in January 2027.

There is also a requirement to undertake six hours of online off‑the‑job learning during alternate weeks.

Applicants must be able to commit to this pattern of study throughout the apprenticeship programme.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be aged 18 years or over at the start of the apprenticeship.
• Be employed for a minimum of 15 hours per week for the full duration of the apprenticeship programme, ending on 31 October 2029.
• Demonstrate the motivation and ability to study successfully at degree level.
• Have good organisational and time‑management skills, with the ability to balance work and study commitments.
• Be able to attend NTU Mansfield Campus one day every two weeks and complete six hours of online learning during alternate weeks.
• Hold a Level 3 qualification, preferably the National Youth Agency (NYA) Level 3 Youth Work qualification, although this is not essential.
• Have experience of working or volunteering with young people, or relevant lived experience of youth work; this is desirable but not essential.
• Note that English and Maths qualifications are not required for entry; however, apprentices aged 18–19 who do not already hold these qualifications may be required to achieve them as part of the apprenticeship.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is passionate about supporting young people, motivated to learn, and confident in building positive relationships. You don't need extensive experience – your enthusiasm, commitment, and willingness to make a difference are what matter most.

From day one, you'll earn a salary, develop practical skills, and receive ongoing mentoring from experienced professionals, creating a clear pathway into a qualified youth work career.

On successful completion, you will achieve a BA (Hons) in Youth Work and a professionally recognised Youth Work qualification endorsed by the National Youth Agency.

This is more than an apprenticeship – it's your chance to build a meaningful career while helping young people shape their futures.

Closing Date: 02/09/2026

About Us

Thank you for your interest in working for Nottingham City Council. As one of the largest employers in Nottingham we offer a wide range of roles across a wide range of services. In return for your skill, drive and commitment to serving the people of Nottingham, we can help you to develop an exciting and rewarding career, with access to the following benefits.

• 26 days annual leave (rising to 33 days after 5 years’ service) + bank holidays with the ability to buy additional leave annually
• Access to a generous, defined benefit pension scheme offering 17.9%
• Smart Working – to support your work life balance
• Health and wellbeing benefits including access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres, cinema, shopping and much more!

Nottingham City Council is committed to recruiting a talented workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are a fair, inclusive and Disability Confident Employer, welcoming applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and abilities. We recruit for diversity and value difference.

If you are a disabled candidate and wish to be considered under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this within your application. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and employment journey.

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from serving personnel, veterans, reservists and military families.

We particularly want to hear from you if you are from Minority Ethnic communities, identify within the LGBTQ+ community, or are disabled. These groups are currently underrepresented in our workforce, and we are committed to better reflecting the communities we serve.

We are supportive of flexible working arrangements wherever possible and encourage candidates to discuss this with us during the recruitment process.