Trainee jobs in Stowmarket

About the role:

We are offering an exciting opportunity where you “earn and learn”. This apprenticeship will give you a wide-ranging experience of our Governance and Procurement Service whilst building your knowledge and helping to lead you into a career in local government.

West Suffolk Council is a fast paced and proactive organisation, and the Governance and Procurement Apprentice will support the administration of the democratic services, procurement and elections teams. The role offers huge variety so no two days will be the same.

Whilst working, you will complete a Level 3 qualification in Business Administration, for which you will be entitled to paid study time to complete; this is linked to the national apprenticeship scheme. You will have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, learning and develop new skills whilst building your confidence along the way.

What you will need:

You do not need any work experience, but you will need to be willing to learn, demonstrate good attention to detail, have good IT skills; and have GCSE’s 9 to 4 (formerly A*-C) in Maths and English or equivalent. You must also meet the requirements to be eligible for an apprenticeship.

To find out more about being an apprentice at West Suffolk Council, visit our Apprenticeship page to meet our current apprentices.

Why work for us?Our benefits include:

• Holiday entitlement of 25 days, increasing to 29 days after 5 years (pro rata if part time) plus bank holidays (with an option to buy up to 10 extra days each year subject to approval)
• Generous pension scheme – contribute between 5.5% and 6.8% (depending on your salary) and the council will contribute 16.4%
• Life assurance – a payment of three times your annual salary
• flexible working options to enable work/life balance
• agile working - ability to work in the office and from home
• access to a unique employee benefits package which includes discounts and cashback on supermarkets, high street shops, holidays, mobile phones, electrical goods, savings and loan schemes and many other products and services
• Salary sacrifice benefits including Cycle to Work scheme, Tusker Leased Car Scheme and SmartTech (buy the latest tech products interest free and repay through your monthly salary)
• Rail and bus staff discounts
• A range of Health and Wellbeing initiatives including an employee assistance programme
• Discounted membership at Abbeycroft Leisure centres
• A culture of learning inspiring staff to focus on continuous learning
• Modern office accommodation

For more information:

For an informal discussion and further information please contact Martin Golledge, Elections Business Partner 01284 757105 or email Martin.Golledge@westsuffolk.gov.uk.

Please note, we are unable to accept CVs, please follow the online application process to apply.

Closing date: Thursday 5 November 2026

Interview date: Thursday 12 November 2026

West Suffolk Council has been rated in the top 10 district councils for climate action (Climate Scorecards 2023) and as a member of UK100 has demonstrated its commitment to a rapid transition to Net Zero with Clean Air in our communities. The council has declared a climate and biodiversity emergency and is committed to working towards net zero emissions by 2039.

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