A Gloucestershire council is on the lookout for five apprentices. Candidates will earn a recognised qualification, while gaining practical paid experience working for one of the district's largest employers.

Stroud District Council (SDC) has five apprenticeship vacancies across a range of departments, which include Health & Wellbeing, Planning, Community Services, Revenues & Benefits and Housing.

SDC apprentice Emily Robbins (pictured) has gained her NVQ Level 2 Apprenticeship in Business Administration in the council's Housing department and is now working towards Level 3.

She said: "Students shouldn't be worried about making the leap from education to the working environment, as it can offer brilliant opportunities whilst you are earning money, and you get the chance to learn about different areas of employment.

"My apprenticeship has provided me with the opportunity to further my education in construction by working alongside trainee surveyors in the team."

If you would like to find out more, there will be an apprentice open evening at the council offices at Ebley Mill between 5pm-7pm on Thursday (31st January). Meet with apprenticeship tutors from South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, managers from the departments the apprenticeships are based in, members of HR and current apprentices to find out what it's really like working for the council.