Cemeteries Business Administration Apprentice
Halton Borough Council
Runcorn (WA7 4UB)
Closes in 22 days (Sunday 27 July 2025)
Posted on 2 July 2025
Contents
Summary
We’re currently looking for a Business Administrator Apprentice to work in our Cemeteries department within Halton Borough Council.
- Wage
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£18,592 a year
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
The working hours of this role can either be 9am - 5pm or 8am - 4pm, Monday to Friday.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 8 September 2025
- Duration
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2 years
- Positions available
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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 role represents an opportunity to carry out vital work within our Cemeteries team, based out of our Picow Farm Road offices. This apprenticeship will allow you to develop an array of administrative skills, whilst supporting our cemeteries across Halton. You will be dealing with a variety of individuals, from funeral directors, to the bereaved. It’s an incredibly rewarding position, and you’ll be supporting families during some of the toughest times in their life.
You’ll carry out a variety of duties and responsibilities, including:
- Assist in booking funerals via telephone and the Cemetery online system
- Receive and process all documentation relating to cremations, burials and memorialisation
- Process essential paperwork for the daily cremations and to communicate with funeral directors to ensure that all the paperwork is correct
- Assist with the memorial safety programme and processing memorial permit applications
- Assist in replying to enquiries via the cemetery inbox
- Assist in processing memorial plaque applications
- Process receipts and raise invoices for billing via the cemetery system and the Agresso system
- Respond to any enquiries generated by the general public
- Undertake any further requests from the Cemetery business manager
- Undertake any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time, which are commensurate with the grade of the job
Where you'll work
Picow Farm Depot
Picow Farm Road
Runcorn
WA7 4UB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
RIVERSIDE 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.
You will attend Riverside College, Widnes on a fortnightly basis, alongside training and learning opportunities whilst in the workplace.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English Language (grade 4/C)
- Mathematics (grade 4/C)
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
- Spoken and written English
- Ability to display sympathy
- Positive attitude
- Self-motivation
About this company
Halton Borough Council is the local authority responsible for the borough of Halton, a unitary authority in Cheshire, England. All our colleagues at Halton have made a positive commitment to delivering great outcomes for our communities. Whoever joins us will share that passion for outstanding service, and strongly align with the values which define our workplace culture; Working Together – building fantastic relationships with colleagues and customers. Continuous Improvement – Keeping great service delivery at the heart of everything we do. Personal Growth – Learning, growing and developing ourselves. Accountability – doing what we say we are going to do. Inspiring Leadership – positive roles models and leading by example.
https://haltoncouncilcareers.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Generous annual leave entitlement, starting at 34 days per year (inc. bank holidays), free car parking at HBC sites, investment in your personal development, and membership to salary-linked 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
As you approach the end of your apprenticeship, you will receive guidance and support from our dedicated Apprenticeship Officer in applying for opportunities within Halton Borough Council. We are eager to ensure that any apprentice that joins us as an apprentice, is given every chance to secure permanent, long-term employment with us.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
Halton Borough Council
Michael Owen
michael.owen@halton.gov.uk
01515117857
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000329423.
Apply now
Closes in 22 days (Sunday 27 July 2025)
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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.