Sports Assistant ApprenticeUniversity

Job description

Full Time , Fixed Term for 12 months

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on 5th October 2026

Interviews will be held: To be confirmed

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. The successful candidate(s) will have to ensure that they have the right to work in the UK or be able to secure this through another means without the sponsorship of the University. Further information about sponsorship is available on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

The University of Reading is a world-renowned institution, ranked 24th in the UK for 2025, and 172nd in the QS World University Rankings in 2025. The University is 1st in the UK in the People & Planet University League and contributes £1billion to the UK economy. It has also just been awarded Sustainable University of the Year in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

In addition, the University is well into delivering its three-year Sport & Active Wellbeing Vision, aimed at inspiring, growing and embedding sport and active wellbeing into the University and wider community.

Working as part of the SportsPark department, the Sports Assistant Apprentice will form part of the Facilities & Operations team while completing EDN level 2 Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship.  The Apprentice course takes a minimum of 12 months to complete.  Your key responsibilities within the apprentice will include:

Understanding customer

Understanding the Organisation

Following rules, regulations and legislation

Using systems and technology

Communicating effectively with colleagues and customers

As a key team player, you will have:

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

An interest in sport and fitness

An ability to use your initiative and have the desire to contribute to the development of sport and active wellbeing to a range of customers.

Candidates must be willing to work a shift pattern that covers early mornings weekdays 6:30am-3pm, weekends 7am-2:30pm and weekday evenings 2pm-10:30pm, weekends 2pm-9:30pm, as well as two weekends in three, to ensure the SportsPark facilities are operated to full efficiency throughout business hours.

Essential training and development will be provided as part of the apprentice role.  You will learn key skills and complete training courses in customer service, health and safety, personal development and Information Technology.

As part of your application, you will complete Maths and English diagnostic assessments and provide any other information required for the training provider to ensure you meet the entry criteria and confirm you are eligible for the apprenticeship. Please see the attached ‘Eligibility criteria for apprenticeships’ to check if you are eligible for the apprenticeship. Applicants should complete the application form including their supporting statement in their own words and should not use generative artificial intelligence.

If you want to contribute to delivering an improved, impactful and inclusive sport and active wellbeing offer on an award-winning UK Green Flag campus, then we want to hear from you.

For more information, please contact:

Kris Morgan-Jones: Sports Facilities Manager - [email protected]

Michael Dyer: Sports Facilities Managers - [email protected]

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

£24,685 to £26,093 per annum