Charity Administration Apprentice

Summary

This is an opportunity to join a fantastic local charity providing administrative support for the day-to-day running of the Foundations Furniture charity. You will be providing a high standard of customer service on the telephone, face-to-face and online, plus supporting the team with a variety of office tasks and supporting with social media.

Wage

£15,561 a year

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Hourly rate will be reviewed after 12 weeks where appropriate.

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm with 30 minutes lunch.

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 14 July 2025

Duration

1 year 4 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

To be responsible for answering the telephone and dealing with enquiries throughout the day
To be responsible for regularly checking and responding to enquiries via email throughout the day
To be responsible for regularly checking and responding to enquiries on social media (Facebook and Instagram) throughout the day
To process donations of furniture over the telephone on our CRM system, creating paperwork, getting stock labels ready and preparing necessary paperwork and scheduling for the driver
To enter new furniture into the stock control area of the CRM system when it arrives
To enter donated furniture to the CRM each day
To carry out filing, shredding, and photocopying when required
Check and maintain stationary levels, placing orders when necessary
To cover any other appropriate responsibilities during times of absence

Probationary period applies.

Where you'll work

Unit 1-2, Teams Craft Workshops
Askew Road West
Gateshead
NE8 2PB

Training

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

College or training organisation

ACCESS TRAINING LIMITED

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

You will attend day release sessions 1 day per month at Access Training on Team Valley as well as learning on the job.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4 or above)
Maths (grade 4 or 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
Administrative skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

There is an office dog on various days throughout the week. You will be required to attend day release sessions at Access Training on Team Valley 1 day per month.

About this company

Foundations began as a small community project to support the Dunston and Teams community affected by financial hardship in the mid 90's. We soon identified the wider need for a community furniture service across the Borough of Gateshead, and our small part time project, quickly grew into a full time charity supporting thousands of people each year. Our dedicated team of volunteers, staff and Trustees are passionate about alleviating the impact of furniture poverty, so that people and families can lead safe, settled and comfortable home lives.

https://www.foundationsfurniture.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Pension scheme after a qualifying period.

After this apprenticeship

This apprenticeship offers the opportunity for a long-term career with progression opportunities. Their last Administration apprentice was with the organisation for 10 years and became an integral part of the team.

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