Business Support Apprentice

Summary

Through our Step In Apprenticeship Programme we have an excellent opportunity for the right candidate. We are recruiting for a Business Administration Apprentice within the Business Support Team working within Children’s Social Care. Starting in September 2025, Apprentices will work towards a Level 3 Business administration qualification.

Wage

£24,027 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£24,027 - £24,404 per annum

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm (Flexible working hours are an option)

37 hours a week

Start date

Friday 1 August 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

Undertake administrative tasks, for example, record keeping (both manual and computerised), filing, responding to routine correspondence, photocopying, message taking, word processing, data input and retrieval, as required
Assist with the distribution of incoming mail and despatch of outgoing mail as required
Receive enquiries by telephone, face to face and email and take appropriate action to ensure that such enquiries are properly responded to, learning to make appropriate decisions to either responding personally or redirecting to an appropriate officer
Provide support to staff members as appropriate, including arranging meetings, appointments and diary maintenance and co-ordination, and to take minutes/notes of meetings and undertake appropriate follow up action
Assist in the analysis, preparation, compilation and distribution of statistical and other information, through the formulation of reports and documentation
Learn to work effectively as part of a team as well as on own initiative, including undertaking research and being involved in the development, implementation and improvement of administrative services and procedures
Maintain up to date and accurate records
Assist in a range of financial or related activities, including ordering, invoice processing, maintenance of accounts, charging systems and appropriate records, administration of allowances, grants and agency payments, assessment for and collection of income, payment of fees, provision of stationery, conduct inventories etc.
Conform to, actively commit to and promote DCC Customer Service Standards both with internal and external customers when using any communication media including telephone,email and face to face
Adhere to existing working practices, methods, procedures,undertake relevant training and development activities and to respond positively to new and alternative systems
Work with information technology and associate systems in accordance with County Council policies and to observe data protection guidelines, policies and procedures
Co-operate with the Council in complying with relevant health and safety legislation, policies and procedures in performance of the duties of the post
Carry out the duties and responsibilities of the post in compliance with the County Council’s Equal Opportunities policies
Understand and comply with the County Council’s Environmental policies
Maintain an excellent level of attendance at apprentice training sessions and successfully achieve the required level 3 qualification

Where you'll work

Devon County Hall
Topsham Road
Exeter
EX2 4QD

Training

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

College or training organisation

EXETER 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
Training will take place at Exeter College
This will require the successful candidate to attend the Exeter College Site once a week

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

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
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Listening Skills

About this company

At Devon County Council, we work together to improve life across Devon for everyone. We want to create a place that people enjoy living in, as well as a place that you enjoy working.

https://www.devon.gov.uk/workingfordevon/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

A starting holiday entitlement of 25 days, flexible working arrangements and training.

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

This is an extremely exciting time to join us as we are expanding our apprenticeship offer to invest in the future Council workforce.
There are no guarantees of employment at the end of the Step In Programme, but we would expect the apprentice to apply for further employment, ideally within the Council or within the wider Devon economy.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Devon County Council

Louisa Grimes

louisa.grimes@devon.gov.uk

01392 386290

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000328511.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Sunday 13 July 2025)

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

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