State Apartments Assistant (Apprentice)

House of Commons

The House of Commons is a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's thriving democratic system.

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Staff Benefits

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including:

• 30 days' annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year).
• Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%.
• Access to training and development.
• Flexible working.
• Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan.

Introduction

The Speaker's Office has 25 staff and the work they do ranges from ensuring that the business in the Chamber runs smoothly (producing speaking lists, processing requests for urgent questions and ministerial statements, giving the Speaker guidance when in the Chair), responding to Members, colleagues and public about points of procedure, arranging events with internal and external key stakeholders, as well as supporting the Speaker in his various roles .

The Speaker is proud to be launching the 'Speaker's Apprenticeship Academy' which will work to widen the House Service talent pool by creating six new apprentice roles which will be placed across the House of Commons. Apprentices will have the unique opportunity to learn and develop their skills in the UK Parliament, the home of British democracy. We're not looking for politics experts, we want to hear from candidates who might not have previously considered the House of Commons as a workplace option, and who are early in their careers and not in full time education.

The Role

The Speaker's Office State Apartment Co-ordinator Apprentice will be a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual who provides support to the State Apartment Manager and Assistant Manager and the wider Speaker's Office.

This role will support the State Apartment Manager in the day-to-day management and facility maintenance of the State Rooms including ensuring guests are welcomed whether meeting the Speaker in a formal or informal capacity, and events including banqueting are planned and delivered to high standards with correct protocols and formalities in place. The role will also require working closely with other colleagues in the House of Commons Service who provide a service to the State Rooms.

You are not expected to be able to do everything from day one. You will be well supported and mentored and have access to training courses offered by the House of Commons.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• To assist in delivering high quality events, delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes with an eye for detail.
• In partnership with the colleagues, assist with all logistical and administrative arrangements for all visits, meetings and events.
• To create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside an organisation.

As part of this role, you'll undertake a Hospitality Team Member Apprenticeship at Level 2. This is the academic equivalent of five GCSE passes.

We will enrol you onto the apprenticeship shortly after you join, and it will typically take 12 months to complete. You will complete training for 20% of your time, including from an apprenticeship training provider. More information on the apprenticeship can be found here: Hospitality Team Member / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

Skills and Experience

Eligibility:

The following qualifications are required for this role:

• GCSE (or equivalent) at A*-C/4-9 in English
• GCSE (or equivalent) at A*-C/4-9 in Mathematics

If you have a degree or other qualification similar to this apprenticeship, you will be ineligible. Please contact the Learning and Careers Team at if you unsure about your qualifications.

If you are successful at interview, you will be asked to provide proof of these qualifications as part of the apprenticeship enrolment process. Please note, these roles are apprenticeship roles. If you have a degree in an unrelated field and you have the required GCSEs (or equivalent), then you are eligible to apply.

Please contact the Apprenticeships Team on if you have any questions relating to this apprenticeship.

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:

• Good written and oral communication skills, with the ability to express information in a clear manner with good attention to detail.
• A passion to work in the hospitality industry and an understanding of requirements to work under pressure to deliver fantastic customer service. An understanding of why customer service skills are so important in the industry, with the ability to respond quickly to customer needs.
• Effective team working skills, with an ability to share best practice and be flexible as required. An ability to work inclusively and flexibly within a team, recognizes the important of diversity and inclusion, positively accepts constructive feedback and acts on advice given.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office suite, including Word and Outlook. Has the willingness to learn new IT skills, including internal systems.

Next Steps and Additional Information

• Application Form - If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an application providing evidence against criteria 1-4 in the Job Description.

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description.

#LI-Onsite