Business Support Apprentice

Summary

Are you looking to take first steps in starting a career in Business Administration? Would you love to work alongside a supportive, friendly, welcoming and high achieving team? This could be the opportunity you are looking for!

Wage

£14,567 a year

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Starting salary will be £14,567 per annum rising to £23,557 per annum on the second year

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5:30pm. On site working will be required.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 9 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

You will assist with the delivery of routine administrative tasks dealing with the day-to-day work including (but not limited to):

Inputting data from source documents into the relevant recording system, checking the accuracy, verifying and correcting data
Responding to emails
Telephone calls
Front-facing customer service
Maintain your own diary and work pattern management
Photocopying/ scanning
Sending letters and dealing with incoming post
Attend meetings with team colleagues and Managers, either in person or by video
Working from home or in an office space
Work alongside other administrative assistants and apprentices who will train you and support you through the day-to-day work
Follow ECC policies and procedures for task completion and our expected standards of behaviours

Where you'll work

Rowan House
33 Sheepen Road
Colchester
CO3 3WG

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Your training plan

Training schedule has yet to be agreed. Details will be made available at a later date.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade Grade 4/C and above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

About this company

At Essex County Council, we look after a large, diverse, complex region of the country. But our approach to creating a place where individuals, families and communities can thrive and prosper is simple.

http://www.workingforessex.com (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Healthy work life balance Wide range of learning and development opportunities 26 days annual leave + choice to buy extra Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Rewards and our health and wellbeing support platform

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

There is every opportunity to progress to further roles and training within Essex County Council. You will have the chance to put forward your ideas, grow your skillset and collaborate with an innovative team in a collaborative environment.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Essex County Council

Entry to Work

work.placements@essex.gov.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000323824.

Apply now

Closes in 10 days (Monday 16 June 2025)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

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