Business Administration Apprentice

Summary

An exciting opportunity to complete a business administration apprenticeship whilst working in a solicitors. Eddowes Waldron is a long-established firm of solicitors, covering a wide variety of legal work, dealt with in specialist departments and has a strong, local client base. You will be directly accountable to Mrs Waldron, One of our partners.

Wage

£14,560 a year

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Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with one hour for lunch.

35 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 July 2025

Duration

1 year 6 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

This is a role for someone wishing to start out on a career giving secretarial and administrative support to fee earners in the Probate Department and on reception. You will be expected to become proficient in the tasks listed below and will, over time, develop your skills to be able to do certain jobs with minimal supervision. You will be required to maintain a professional appearance and approach to your work and in your contact with clients and professional colleagues. Complete confidentiality will be expected of you.

Key Responsibilities:

Probate:

Taking departmental telephone calls and taking a clear message, particularly as first port of call for head of department and as a back-up for all other department members
Photocopying and scanning
Making appointments for fee earners, including using electronic diary
Preparing and sending out letters and supporting paperwork for appointments for Estates, Wills and Powers of Attorney; opening files
Filing
Entry of time recording sheets onto Sage computer system
File deadening
Production of standard letters e.g. for payment or acknowledgement of debts
Dealing with receipt and distribution of mail
Support for fee earners in department (e.g. putting up post; paying in cheques)
Occasional audio work and copy-typing

Reception:

Assisting with the post for approximately half an hour towards the end of each day
Taking post to the post office and dealing with exceptional items e.g. recorded or special deliveries
Manning the switchboard over lunchtime

After training you will be expected to:

Reception:

Do 3-4 hours per day reception cover when the head receptionist is away

Probate:

Pay legacies
Request ID
Pay out on final winding up of an estate
Strongroom: Assist in logging items in and out of our secure strongroom
Visit properties for insurance purposes; to give access to estate agents; house clearance; take meter readings
Take chattels for sale to the auction house

Generally:

All such other duties as may from time to time be deemed necessary to assist in the smooth running of the department

Where you'll work

12 ST. PETERS CHURCHYARD
DERBY
DE1 1TZ

Training

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

College or training organisation

DERBY BUSINESS COLLEGE LIMITED

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

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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

In addition to gaining practical experience in the role, you will also attain an NVQ Level 3 Business Admin qualification which will help start your career and give you an insight into the businesses processes and procedures
Our training is all completed remotely via teams with a development coach who will be available for support 24/7 and will arrange weekly/fortnightly meetings with you
You receive 20% off-the-job training during this apprenticeship which is included in your weekly working hours

More training information

DBC Training are a multi award-winning employment and skills training provider
We offer high-quality employer solutions to improve productivity and learner solutions to support individuals to fulfil their potential
https://dbc-training.co.uk/

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths & English (grade C/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
Customer care skills
Administrative skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Microsoft Office

Other requirements

Holidays: 20 days (rising to 25 days after five years’ continuous and unblemished service) plus statutory bank holidays Pension: unless you wish to opt out, you will be automatically enrolled with NEST in the UK Workplace Pension Scheme. Sickness/Absence: The firm will pay sick pay in accordance with the terms of your eventual contract and company policy. No sick pay is payable during the probationary period. Termination: The appointment is subject to a six months’ probationary period, during which two weeks’ notice either way will be required. From the end of the probationary period until one year’s service from your commencement date has been completed, the notice period will be one month either way; until five years’ service has been completed the notice period will be six weeks either way and, thereafter it will be three months’ either way. Car Parking: if you drive to work, a car-parking space will be provided after satisfactory completion of probationary period.

About this company

Leading Solicitors in Derby City Centre Eddowes Waldron Solicitors is a local law firm, who are committed to delivering high quality legal advice and client care. With specialist teams focusing on various areas of law including personal injury, family law, Care proceedings, private clients and conveyancing, we’re sure to have the skills and expertise that you require.

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

Company benefits

Opportunity to sign up to “pay care” healthcare provider with a 50 % employer contribution. The firm will pay sick pay in accordance with the terms of your eventual contract and company policy. No sick pay is payable during the probationary period.

After this apprenticeship

Potential to develop knowledge & skills in a professional environment
Potential for further study e.g. higher-level qualifications in the sector or to study leadership & management

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