Customer Support Apprentice

Summary

An unique opportunity for someone that wants to make a difference to the lives of children and families in Southend on sea. Assisting the Childrens Social Care team deliver the best outcome for their families. Working in a dynamic team that has a passion and drive to deliver.

Wage

£14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday- Friday 9.00am- 17.30pm

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 22 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

Responding to emails & Teams Messages in a timely manner
Typing up meeting minutes within the agreed timescales
Working with data & spreadsheets that could be of a sensitive nature
General admin duties, scanning, copying & printing
Demonstrating professionalism and integrity with all duties

Where you'll work

Civic Centre
Victoria Avenue
Southend-On-Sea
SS2 6ER

Training

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

College or training organisation

SOUTH ESSEX COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

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

Full Business Administration Level 3
No attendance at College as you will be assessed in the work place

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (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
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

Other requirements

Opportunity to participate in our Hybrid working.

About this company

Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend. Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovate environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work life balance. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference. We are a Disability Confident employer and offer all applicants who disclose they have a disability when applying a guaranteed interview if they meet the minimum criteria for the job. Our policy is to also offer all Care Leavers within the City who apply for an apprenticeship an interview if they meet the entry requirements. If you are a Care Leaver within the City, please email resourcing@southend.gov.uk so we can track your application.

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

Towards the end of the apprenticeship, the apprentice will be entered into the Southend City Council’s Redeployment Pool, which would allow them to apply for vacancies before they are made available to other internal candidates

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SOUTH ESSEX COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

Diane Ridgley

diane.ridgley@southessex.ac.uk

07855701273

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000331372.

Apply now

Closes in 20 days (Monday 4 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

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