Would you like the chance to start a career in customer service? Plus earn whilst you learn and gain a Level 2 qualification?
You will join our friendly customer contact team, which consists of Blue Badge and Concessionary Travel (bus passes) Penalty Charge Notice and Debt Recovery (PCN), Parking Customer Service (permits) and our Fraud team in offering a fair and inclusive service to our customers whilst supported on the Customer Service Practitioner Level 2 apprenticeship to develop your skills and apply your learning in the above roles.
There’s lots more information below and in the links, but if you want to have an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Jasmine Miles,
[email protected].
If you want to chat to a current or previous apprentice about their experience, contact us on the email above, and we can arrange this for you.
If you would like to discuss eligibility, please email the Apprenticeship Team
[email protected]
Provisional start date: 30th September 2026
The Customer service practitioner apprenticeship at level 2 is run by Chichester College Group, which is responsible for supporting you with your learning and carrying out assessments. You will learn all the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the apprenticeship standard from on-the-job learning and evidence this through assignments to help you with your final Assessment.
Once you are competent in all these areas, you will take a final Assessment. You will receive support from a nominated mentor throughout the duration of the apprenticeship and have allocated time at work to study.
Delivery will be via online apprenticeship workshops, assessor meet/visits every 4-6 weeks, three-way review with manager, apprentice & the college every 8-12 weeks, plus other off-the-job learning during contracted hours.
Apprentices will gain knowledge in all areas of the apprenticeship standard whilst gaining invaluable experience in the workplace in applying and putting this learning into practice. You will get to know the organisation and its systems, build and develop relationships with colleagues and customers, process applications, respond to queries effectively and work in a team to meet the requirements of the service. This is a large, friendly department who support each other and all work together with a customer focus. The department values apprentices and has experience in supporting them through the programme and into potential further employment, whether in the service or in the wider council.
As well as the job-related experience and apprenticeship qualification, you will receive all the benefits and opportunities of being an employee of Brighton & Hove City Council, one of the city’s largest employers. As an Apprentice, you are eligible for an apprentice NUS discount card and can take advantage of the Catch the bus4work scheme and bus travel discounts with Brighton & Hove buses.
Your apprenticeship will last up to 17 months. This may be amended if you have any applicable prior learning. Your contract will end on successful completion of the apprenticeship.
Our previous apprentice recently completed her apprenticeship with a distinction and now has a permanent role at the council, and says:
“It was a great opportunity to learn new skills and join a great organisation…. Go for it, as this will help to progress your career and allow you to build relationships and skills.”
To hear what our other apprentices have to say, watch our apprenticeships video.
Functional Skills
All Level 2 apprenticeships
English and Maths - Where an apprentice is 16-18yrs at the commencement of the apprenticeship, if the relevant English and Maths level, or equivalent, has not been achieved or cannot be evidenced, the apprentice will be expected to work towards Functional Skills in these areas during the apprenticeship. This does not apply to 19+ unless it is a specific requirement of the apprenticeship or requested.
Please note, if the role requires a certain Level of English and Maths as an Essential Criteria, this will be listed on the Job Description under Education, Qualifications and Knowledge and will be a requirement to apply and not be able to be studied.
Interviews commencing TBA
Start date: 30th September 2026
Please note, your application may be shared with the training provider and an informal interview will take place with them to confirm eligibility prior to an offer being confirmed
Please declare your qualifications in the application as this may affect eligibility.
Encouraging a diverse workforce
Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, male or trans.
Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our fair and inclusive actions, our anti-racism strategy and the work we are doing to encourage a diverse workforce (brighton-hove.gov.uk).
Why work for us?
As a council, we want to:
- be connected
- be confident
- be innovative and creative
- be diverse and inclusive
- be healthy and psychologically safe
For more information about our values and the benefits of working at the council, visit Why work for us which gives details of our wellbeing support, our benefits including leave and pensions as well as details of our training and development.
How to apply
Please read our Apply for a job at the council pages carefully. They give you all the guidance you need to complete your application as well as information on what will happen after you’ve submitted your application and at interview.
As part of your application, you will need to provide your education and career history and answer some application/shortlisting questions. Your answers to the application/shortlisting questions are the most important part of your application as they will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our Shortlisting questions guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process.
AI advice for candidates
We are interested in hearing about your experience and skills in your own words. While we value people who know how to use AI, we ask that you minimise using it in your application.
We are keen to hear how your experience and skills align to our values and the skills and experience needed to perform well in our roles with clear real examples from you. To support you in this, we have guidance on using the STAR model which can help you ensure you are telling us your whole story. We also provide clarity on the skills we are looking for in our adverts and in the job description/person specification attached to each job advert.
All the applications we receive are read by at least two hiring managers and we do not use AI in this process. Our experience of reading applications is that those that have heavily used AI contain generic paragraphs that are strikingly similar to other applicants’ responses. This makes it extremely difficult to differentiate between applications, and doesn't give us enough evidence of your individual skills. There is a risk that we will therefore not be able to shortlist you. Instead, we recommend you ensure your application stands out by presenting clear examples of your actual skills and experiences in your own words.
Additional information
Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only.
We are a workplace that supports flexibility and employee wellbeing in the way we work whilst providing the best service for our customers. Team and service working arrangements are designed to support both employee work life balance and team collaboration. These would be part of your individual working arrangements alongside any personal preference agreed with your manager in advance of joining. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team and travel to and from your contractual location would be at your own expense.
