Key takeaways
- Council vacancies are all advertised on jobs.leeds.gov.uk — filter by service area and apply online. The council employs over 14,000 people.
- The Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair is a February event, not an upcoming one: the 2026 fair ran on 11 February 2026 at the first direct arena. No date has been announced for the next fair.
- Council apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 or over, with no upper age limit, and pay at least the apprentice minimum wage of £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026.
- The Leeds Employment Hub gives free one-to-one career help, including for people with health conditions, care leavers, lone parents and older workers.
- £2.3 million from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority funded the Employment Hub for April 2025 to March 2026, supporting around 1,400 Leeds residents.
- A new city-wide fair, Careers in Leeds, ran on 3 November 2026 at the first direct arena, combining three previous events.
On this page
- Quick guide to jobs & apprenticeship opportunities in Leeds
- Leeds City Council roles: what the council actually advertises
- Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair: what happened in 2026
- How Leeds City Council supports inclusive employment
- Who hires apprentices in Leeds?
- Leeds Employment Hub: one-on-one career help near you
- Empowering youth employment & career development in 2026
- Building careers, reducing barriers: Leeds Council’s inclusive job strategy
- Degree apprenticeships: a smart alternative to university
- How council-backed initiatives are tackling skills shortages
- A city-wide approach: community & employer involvement
- Apprenticeship and careers fairs in Leeds: what to plan for
- Where to start in Leeds
- FAQs about Leeds City Council jobs
Looking for jobs in Leeds, especially ones backed by the council or designed to help you start or change career? Whether you are a school leaver, a job seeker returning to work, or someone facing a long-term health condition, Leeds City Council jobs and local apprenticeship schemes open doors to employment across the city.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 14,000 employees. Its vacancies cover everything from care and cleaning to planning, finance, digital and legal work — and they are all advertised in one place, on the council’s own jobs site, jobs.leeds.gov.uk.
Alongside council roles, the city runs a large apprenticeship fair every February, a free Employment Hub for one-to-one career help, and a newer city-wide careers fair. This guide explains each route, what the council actually pays for the kinds of roles it advertises, and how to apply — with the fair written as it is, a past event you plan around for next year, not an upcoming one.
This guide does not list live vacancies, because ukjobly.com is a guides site, not a job board — but every apply route below points to the official place to check.
Table: Quick Guide to Jobs & Apprenticeship Opportunities in Leeds
| Opportunity Type | Who It’s For | Key Features |
| Council roles | Job seekers of all levels | Advertised on jobs.leeds.gov.uk, with pay bands on every advert |
| Apprenticeship opportunities | Young people, career changers, degree learners | Paid training, long-term career development, no upper age limit |
| Individual support services | People with health conditions or caring responsibilities | 1-to-1 guidance, inclusive access to the job market |
| Employment Hub programmes | Economically inactive individuals | Skills development, job market readiness, free one-to-one help |
| Voluntary sector grants | Community organisations helping others find work | Council funding to boost local employment efforts |
Leeds City Council Roles: What the Council Actually Advertises
Council vacancies are advertised on jobs.leeds.gov.uk, where you can filter by service area. Roles come up across the council’s services — here are the kinds of jobs the council advertises, with pay bands from adverts live in November 2026. Live vacancies change daily, so check the jobs site for what is open today; these examples show the range, not today’s list.
- Administration and customer service — for example Revenues Assistant, grade B3, £25,584 to £27,269 a year for 37 hours a week, based at Civic Hall.
- Governance and education support — for example Clerk to Governing Body, grade C1, £28,598 to £31,022 a year (pro rata for part-time hours), home-based with in-person school meetings.
- Professional and project roles — for example Project Officer, grade SO2, £37,280 to £39,152 a year; and Community Arboricultural Officer, grade SO2, £38,510 to £40,444 a year.
- Frontline and community roles — catering, cleaning, care, libraries, parks and museums. These are often advertised by the hour; for example a Service Assistant (casual) role in the council’s museums and galleries was advertised at £13.45 an hour.
- Digital and technology — the council’s Integrated Digital Service runs an IT Talent Management Programme with Level 4 apprenticeships and graduate opportunities. Its 2026 cohort was expected to start in September 2026, with applications opening in July.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are subject to a six-month probationary period. To apply, you create an account on the jobs site, complete the online form, and track your application there. For help with the process, the council’s recruitment team can be contacted on 0113 378 5165 or at jobs@leeds.gov.uk.
How to Apply for a Leeds City Council Job in 5 Steps
- Search the council jobs site: go to jobs.leeds.gov.uk and filter by service area — care, digital, finance, planning, libraries, parks, or whichever fits you. Check whether the advert is open to external applicants; some roles are internal-only.
- Read the advert properly: check the grade and pay band (the council prints them on every advert), the hours, the contract type and the closing date. Note the recruiting manager’s name — you can contact them with questions.
- Create an account and complete the online form: the council’s application form asks for your work history and a personal statement. Read the guidance notes on the jobs site first — they explain what shortlisting panels look for.
- For apprenticeships, check the age and eligibility rules: you must be 16 or over, with no upper age limit. If no apprenticeship is advertised in your field, complete the apprenticeship enquiry form on the jobs site to register your interest.
- Track your application online: log in after the closing date to see your progress, book an interview or assessment, and find out who to contact. All new appointments are subject to a six-month probationary period.
Documents checklist — have these ready
- An up-to-date CV with dates for every job and course.
- A personal statement (some adverts ask for no more than 500 words) explaining why you fit the role.
- Your National Insurance number.
- Proof of address and photo ID for pre-employment checks.
- Your share code from your UK visa and immigration account if you are not a British or Irish citizen, to prove your right to work.
- Details of any qualifications the advert asks for — the council lists essential criteria on every advert, so match your statement to them.
- Bank details — only after you have a written offer. Never send bank details with an application.
Checks & certificates — what is real and what is not
- No fee or certificate is needed to apply for a council job. Applications are free, on jobs.leeds.gov.uk. Anyone charging you to apply for a Leeds City Council role is not the council.
- Right to work: the council checks your right to work in the UK before you start — passport, or a share code if you hold a visa. That check is free and done by the council, not by a paid third party.
- DBS checks: some council roles — especially in care, education and work with children or vulnerable adults — need a DBS check. The council arranges and pays for it through the official route. Never pay for a check through a link sent by a “recruiter”.
- Apprenticeships: you do not need to buy any training or certificate before you apply. The training is part of the apprenticeship, delivered with a college or training provider, and the employer pays for it.
- Employment Hub help is free. One-to-one advice, CV help and interview preparation through the Leeds Employment Hub cost nothing — the hub is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair: What Happened in 2026
The Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair — described by the council as the largest apprenticeship recruitment fair in the North of England — returned to the first direct arena on Wednesday 11 February 2026, during National Apprenticeship Week (9–15 February 2026). It brings over 100 exhibitors from sectors ranging from health and finance to digital and creative industries, with live apprenticeship vacancies, practical advice and learning opportunities.
The 2025 fair, held in the week of 10 February 2025, drew exhibitors including Jet2, KPMG, the Royal Navy, the Bank of England and Leeds City Council itself. For anyone asking how to find apprenticeships in Leeds, the fair is the city’s main launchpad into a variety of career routes — but it happens once a year, in February, so it is something to plan for, not something to turn up to next week.
No date has been announced yet for the next fair. The pattern so far is February, in National Apprenticeship Week, at the first direct arena. Check the council’s news pages at news.leeds.gov.uk and the Employment and Skills Leeds pages as February approaches. In the meantime, the rest of this guide covers the routes that are open all year.
The fair is not just for students. It is for:
- Career starters exploring entry-level jobs
- People interested in hands-on learning
- Adults looking for career progression
- Those interested in re-skilling programmes or returning to work after a break
How Leeds City Council Supports Inclusive Employment
The council’s support goes beyond recruitment events. In April 2025 Leeds City Council was set to receive £2.3 million from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, as part of the response to central government’s Get Britain Working reforms, to extend the Leeds Employment Hub for 12 months (April 2025 to March 2026). The hub and its associated programmes were expected to support around 1,400 Leeds residents who are unemployed, economically inactive, or in work and at risk of losing their job because of a disability or a long-term health condition.
That programme sits inside a bigger West Yorkshire scheme, Employment West Yorkshire, which has supported over 16,850 people since April 2023 and has been extended to 31 March 2027, with a target of up to 20,000 people supported.
This funding specifically addresses:
- Employment support for people with long-term health conditions
- Career support for care leavers and lone parents
- Services for individuals living in deprived wards
- Job access for older workers in physically demanding roles
- Help for ex-offenders and people facing homelessness
These efforts align with the national Get Britain Working programme, bringing government funding for job seekers in Leeds directly into communities that need it most.
Who Hires Apprentices in Leeds?
The apprenticeship fair gives a clear picture of employers actively offering roles. The 2025 fair’s exhibitors included:
- Jet2 – aviation, customer service, travel operations
- KPMG – finance, audit, consulting, apprenticeships
- Bank of England – central banking, risk and compliance roles
- Royal Navy – defence careers, logistics and engineering
- Springfield Training – education and vocational training
- The Coders Guild – digital and tech apprenticeships
- Appris & JCT600 – engineering, automotive and manufacturing
These are not just internship-style roles. Most apprenticeships now come with real salaries, job contracts and defined career paths. Many also offer the chance to earn higher and degree-level qualifications, making them comparable to traditional university routes, with the added benefit of paid employment.
The fair is once a year, but apprenticeships are advertised all year. The council’s own apprenticeships — in areas from digital and finance to care and construction — are advertised on jobs.leeds.gov.uk whenever a service needs one, and you can register your interest through the apprenticeship enquiry form on the same site. You must be aged 16 or over to apply; there is no upper age limit. Apprentices are paid at least the apprentice minimum wage — £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026 — and many employers pay more.
Leeds Employment Hub: One-on-One Career Help Near You
The Leeds Employment Hub isn’t just a website, it’s a network of trained advisors located across the city, helping people from all backgrounds get job-ready. Whether you’re applying for jobs in Leeds or trying to upskill through re-skilling programs, the hub offers tailored help through:
- CV building and interview preparation
- Support for disabled job seekers
- Information about apprenticeship vacancies
- Guidance for social mobility and career change
- Employer links with local businesses and council services.
The hub’s mission includes removing barriers faced by those who often feel left behind in the job market. If you’ve ever searched for free job support services near me, this is one of the strongest local options available.
Empowering Youth Employment & Career Development in 2026
Leeds’ approach to youth employment is visible in its continued investment in early career development — working with schools, colleges and local employers to increase access to entry-level jobs that provide real growth potential.
Two 2026 developments show the direction of travel. In September 2026 the council reported that nearly 10,000 young people in Leeds had accessed careers support through its Informed Choices programme, which gives young people careers information, employer encounters and help making decisions about their futures. And in July 2026 the city brought partners together to strengthen its response to youth inactivity and the number of young people not in education, employment or training.
Beyond the apprenticeship fair, the city’s efforts focus on:
- Promoting hands-on learning over unpaid placements
- Funding new skills development projects for under-25s
- Working with voluntary and community organisations to widen access
- Encouraging workforce engagement among employers to create real openings
This is not a one-off push; it is part of Leeds’ broader ambition to lead in inclusive job creation across the north.
Building Careers, Reducing Barriers: Leeds Council’s Inclusive Job Strategy
Unlike other regions where job seekers often face a complex maze of disconnected services, Leeds City Council has made a concerted effort to simplify and strengthen its employment support. With local delivery, strategic partnerships and targeted support, the council is making real progress in workforce engagement, especially in underserved communities.
The Employment Hub and its associated programmes respond directly to resident needs — not just by creating more jobs, but by creating access to the job market for those who often feel excluded.
This includes:
- Career support for care leavers and lone parents
- Tailored pathways for those with disabilities or health conditions
- Support structures for older workers in physically intense industries
- Special programmes for economically inactive individuals
Through these efforts, the city is also combating social inequality, boosting social mobility, and giving every resident a fair shot at career development, whether that is through a full-time council role or a local apprenticeship opportunity.
Degree Apprenticeships: A Smart Alternative to University
One of the most impactful trends in Leeds’ employment drive is the rise of degree apprenticeships. These programmes let learners earn a university-level qualification while working, gaining real-world experience without the weight of student debt.
Offered by employers like KPMG, Appris, and the Bank of England, these roles often include training in:
- Business & finance
- Engineering
- Digital marketing
- Public service administration
- Legal and policy fields
This blend of learning opportunities and paid employment makes apprenticeships in Leeds not just a backup plan but a preferred choice for many, especially young professionals seeking both career progression and income stability.
How Council-Backed Initiatives Are Tackling Skills Shortages
The council has also acknowledged the city’s skills shortage in vital sectors like healthcare, digital services, and construction. To address this, the Leeds Employment Hub is working closely with local employers to design apprenticeships and job training aligned with actual labour market demands.
These programs aim to:
- Develop re-skilling programs for people switching careers
- Increase access to hands-on learning for school leavers.
- Provide upskilling for workers at risk of redundancy.
- Expand career development paths for underrepresented groups.
This demand-led approach ensures that employers have access to a trained, ready workforce, while job seekers receive support that leads to actual employment, not just training for training’s sake.
A City-Wide Approach: Community & Employer Involvement
Leeds’ employment efforts are not limited to government bodies. Much of the progress has come from its work with voluntary and community organisations, including social enterprises and training providers. These groups have played a pivotal role in reaching people who may not engage with traditional job centres or online listings.
Through grants and local partnerships, these organisations now provide:
- Employment help for disabled individuals in Leeds
- Wraparound services for people facing homelessness
- Vocational coaching for young people in deprived wards
- Opportunities for those previously in the justice system
In addition, several businesses and public sector employers now offer individual support, mentorship, and long-term contracts that help individuals move from training to stable employment.
This collaborative, place-based strategy sets Leeds apart from other councils. While people may also search for Calderdale Council jobs, North Yorkshire Council jobs, or Indeed jobs Leeds, they’ll find that Leeds offers one of the most accessible and coordinated employment landscapes in West Yorkshire.
Apprenticeship and Careers Fairs in Leeds: What to Plan For
The 2026 Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair ran on 11 February 2026 at the first direct arena, during National Apprenticeship Week. It is the city’s main apprenticeship event, and the pattern so far is February each year — but no date has been announced for the next one, so check the council’s news pages as February approaches.
There is also a newer event to know about. On Tuesday 3 November 2026 the city held its first Careers in Leeds fair at the first direct arena (12–6pm), bringing together three previously separate events — the Leeds Digital Careers Fair, the Leeds Creative Skills Festival and the SEND Next Choice Event — with over 100 of the region’s leading employers, training providers and support organisations under one roof. It is free to attend and open to anyone considering a next move, whether that is a job, training, an apprenticeship or simply exploring career ideas.
At either fair, attendees can:
- Connect directly with recruiters
- Apply for apprenticeship vacancies on site
- Attend sessions explaining how apprenticeships work
- Learn about career development paths in both the public and private sectors
- Get insight into what employers like Jet2, The Coders Guild and Leeds Manufacturing Festival are offering
For young people and job seekers alike, a fair is a rare opportunity to meet hiring managers, explore different careers, and begin a journey that could change their working life. Between fairs, the year-round routes are the council jobs site (jobs.leeds.gov.uk) and the Leeds Employment Hub.
Where to Start in Leeds
Leeds City Council jobs, supported by council funding, partnerships and on-the-ground employment hubs, are reshaping how the city works. From apprenticeship opportunities to dedicated employment support, residents of every background now have access to the tools, advice and training they need to succeed.
Start with the route that fits you. If you want a council role, search jobs.leeds.gov.uk and filter by the service area that interests you. If you want an apprenticeship, check the same site and register your interest — and put the February fair in your diary for next year. If you need one-to-one help first, contact the Leeds Employment Hub. And if you are under 25, ask your school or college about the Informed Choices programme.
The question is no longer whether there are jobs available in Leeds, but which route gets you to the right one first. For a wider public-sector route, see government legal department jobs in the UK, and check 2026 bank holidays in the UK.
FAQs About Leeds City Council Jobs
What support does Leeds City Council offer to job seekers?
The council advertises its own vacancies on jobs.leeds.gov.uk, runs apprenticeships across its services, and funds the Leeds Employment Hub, which gives free one-to-one career help — CV building, interview preparation and support for disabled job seekers — including for people with long-term health conditions, disabilities or caring responsibilities.
How can I find apprenticeships in Leeds?
Check jobs.leeds.gov.uk, where council apprenticeships are advertised all year, and register your interest through the apprenticeship enquiry form on the same site. The Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair runs once a year in February at the first direct arena — the 2026 fair was on 11 February 2026. Many employers also advertise apprenticeship vacancies directly.
Who is eligible for individual job support?
Services are open to economically inactive individuals, care leavers, lone parents, older workers, and people with low qualifications or other barriers to employment — including people with long-term health conditions or disabilities.
What sectors offer apprenticeships in Leeds?
Industries include digital, engineering, law, public service, hospitality, education, finance and care, with degree apprenticeships and entry-level jobs both available. The council itself offers apprenticeships in areas from digital and finance to care and construction.
When is the next Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair?
No date has been announced yet. The fair runs in February, during National Apprenticeship Week, at the first direct arena — the 2026 fair was on Wednesday 11 February 2026. Check the council’s news pages (news.leeds.gov.uk) as February approaches. A newer city-wide fair, Careers in Leeds, ran on 3 November 2026.
How do I apply for a job with Leeds City Council?
Search and apply on the council’s jobs site, jobs.leeds.gov.uk. Create an account, complete the online application form, and track your application there. For help with the process, contact the recruitment team on 0113 378 5165 or at jobs@leeds.gov.uk. All new appointments are subject to a six-month probationary period.
How much do Leeds City Council jobs pay?
Every advert carries its grade and pay band. Recent examples from adverts live in November 2026: Revenues Assistant £25,584–£27,269, Clerk to Governing Body £28,598–£31,022, Project Officer £37,280–£39,152. Apprentices are paid at least the apprentice minimum wage of £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026. Live vacancies change daily, so check jobs.leeds.gov.uk for current roles.
Sources checked: Leeds City Council news — Major apprenticeship fair returns this February (27 Jan 2026); Leeds welcomes £2.3million funding to support more people into work (15 Apr 2025); Leeds City Council Executive Board report — Get Britain Working funding (23 Apr 2025); West Yorkshire Combined Authority — Employment West Yorkshire project approvals (12 Mar 2026); Inclusive Growth Leeds — Careers in Leeds fair (3 Nov 2026) and Employment Hub; jobs.leeds.gov.uk — council apprenticeships, guidance notes and IT Talent Management Programme; GOV.UK — National Minimum Wage in 2026 (apprentice rate £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026). All sources checked 8 November 2026. Fair dates and live vacancies change — check the linked official source before you rely on a date or a role.
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