Business Administrator Apprentice

Summary

We would like to offer the opportunity to work at The Compass Learning Centre as part of our Admin/Finance Team. Our Apprenticeship programme offers an exciting opportunity for you to gain practical experience whilst supporting your development with a fully funded Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship.

Wage

£19,600 a year

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Actual Salary approx £19,600 pay award pending Dorset Grade 3 Salary Point 3 Term Time Only Salary Pro Rata

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 15:30

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 8 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

You will be working in the school office as part of an admin/finance team.

A day in the office at Compass Learning Centre will involve the following tasks:

To complete appropriate data input and paperwork associated with the clerical and administrative needs of the school (e.g. school transport records, pupil database)
To provide administrative support to all areas of the school (e.g. student listings, wordprocessing)
To receive telephone calls and visitors and take appropriate action
To undertake general office duties, including collation/copying reports and documents, organising and maintaining filing systems and assisting in the absence of colleagues
To be responsible for processing incoming and outgoing mail
To assist the finance officer/exam officer in their general duties
To undertake word processing
Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people in accordance with the school’s safeguarding and child protection policy

Where you'll work

Chickerell Road
Weymouth
DT4 0QU

Training

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

College or training organisation

WEYMOUTH AND KINGSTON MAURWARD COLLEGE

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

Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard
Full training will be given on the job with one day a week of supported self study time at Weymouth & Kingston Maurward College (Weymouth Campus)

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

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
Initiative
Patience

Other requirements

You MUST be prepared to commit to your work and training for the duration of the apprenticeship. You will be required to attend an interview and assessment at Weymouth College prior to your application being passed on. If a suitable candidate is found prior to the advertised closing date, it may close earlier so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

About this company

Compass Learning Centre is a ‘good school’ (Ofsted October 2024) and a successful Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), part of the Alternative Provision (AP) in education. It is fully supported by a committed Management Committee who work closely with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team. The Pupil Admission Number (PAN) is currently 67. The number of students on roll varies throughout the year dependent on the number of referrals from schools within the Weymouth and Portland area and from Dorset Council. Students who attend Compass Learning Centre predominantly experience difficulties engaging in a mainstream school and come to us with a variety of additional needs. The centre caters for students who have been permanently excluded from a mainstream school, individuals with medical conditions that prevent attendance at mainstream schools and a few students without access to regular education. A number of students are admitted with an Education Health Care Plan, a few are in the care of the local authority and others attend for a fixed period of time on a Dual Registration basis. We serve the wider West Dorset community, however the majority of students who attend Compass come from the Weymouth and Portland area. Some students follow short-term, work-related social development or resilience building courses at Rylands Farm, Dorset Trade Skills, Max Events, and Weymouth Sailing Academy. All students are offered full-time programmes. However, the time spent in school is tailored to meet individual students’ needs. Safeguarding: Compass Learning Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; this is a commitment which we expect all staff and volunteers to share. The successful candidate will be required to have a Disclosure & Barring Service check in line with the Government’s safer recruitment guidelines. We value the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications from all sectors of the community. Please ensure that your application is completed in full, listing all qualifications from secondary school up to the most recent qualifications gained and a full employment history is stated from school until present day. Compass Learning Centre will conduct a number of online searches of shortlisted candidates. Part of which will be a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the search and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.

http://www.compass.dorset.sch.uk (opens in new tab)

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

Following completion of the apprenticeship the right candidate may be taken on as a permanent member of staff

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WEYMOUTH AND KINGSTON MAURWARD COLLEGE

Apprenticeships

apprenticeships@weymouth.ac.uk

01305208709

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000328177.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 1 August 2025

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

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