Advanced Apprentice – Communication and Engagement – Find an apprenticeship

Summary

Join West Sussex County Council as an Advanced Apprentice in Communication & Engagement. Gain hands-on experience supporting education services, managing communications, and delivering excellent customer service, all while working toward a Level 3 Business Administration qualification.

Wage

£24,027 a year

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This is role with West Sussex County Council, offers a competitive salary alongside full training. You’ll also receive paid holidays and access to employee benefits while gaining valuable work experience and a recognised qualification.

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, hours to be confirmed.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 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

As an Advanced Apprentice in Communication & Engagement with West Sussex County Council, you’ll play a key role in supporting the Education & Skills Directorate. This apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience while working toward a Level 3 Business Administrator qualification. You’ll be embedded in a dynamic team environment, contributing to meaningful projects that impact schools, young people, and the wider community.

Throughout the apprenticeship, you’ll develop a wide range of administrative and communication skills. You’ll be expected to manage tasks efficiently, meet deadlines, and provide excellent customer service. Your role will involve working collaboratively with colleagues and using your initiative to solve problems and support service delivery.

Key responsibilities include:

Compiling and checking regular communications with schools, ensuring accuracy and clarity.
Managing shared inboxes and responding to queries, helping maintain smooth communication channels.
Supporting meetings through clerking duties, including preparing agendas and taking minutes.

In addition, you’ll contribute to financial tasks, update databases, and act as an ambassador for apprenticeships at events. This role is ideal for someone with a positive attitude, strong communication skills, and a willingness to learn and grow in a supportive environment.

Where you'll work

County Hall
West Street
Chichester
West Sussex
PO19 1RQ

Training

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

College or training organisation

WEIR TRAINING 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

The training for the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship standard will be delivered by Weir Training. It combines practical, on-the-job experience with formal learning and assessment to help you build a strong foundation in business administration and communication.

As part of your training, you will:

Attend monthly assessor meetings to build a work-based portfolio of evidence.
Complete work-based assessments and assignments, applying your learning directly to real tasks.
Prepare for and undertake an End Point Assessment, which evaluates your overall competence and readiness for the role.

This blended approach ensures you gain both the knowledge and the hands-on skills needed to succeed in a professional environment, while being supported by experienced colleagues and mentors throughout your journey.

More training information

The Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship delivered by Weir Training typically lasts up to 18 months, depending on the apprentice’s prior experience and progression pace. The programme is structured to blend practical work experience with formal learning and assessment.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

x 5 (inc. English and maths) (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
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Administrative skills
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

Some experience including working in a customer-facing role or participating in team-based extracurricular activities (e.g. Duke of Edinburgh’s Award) is desirable.

About this company

West Sussex County Council (WSCC) is a diverse organisation that provides services to more than 850,000 residents every day. Our teams use their experience to enable and challenge the Council to deliver improved efficiency and effectiveness.

http://www.westsussex.gov.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

In addition to working within a great team and a brilliant opportunity to start your career in the WSCC Education and Skills Directorate you will receive: a competitive salary, 25 days annual leave + bank holidays and a generous pension scheme.

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

Although there are no guarantees, completion of this apprenticeship would place the successful applicant in a strong position in any suitable recruitment that may take place at the end of the programme

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

West Sussex County Council

Stephi Tremlin

stephi.tremlin@westsussex.gov.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000327621.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Wednesday 16 July 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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Advanced Apprentice – Communication and Engagement

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