Business Administration Apprentice
Planning Inspectorate
Temple Meads (BS1 6PN)
Closes in 15 days (Sunday 7 September 2025)
Posted on 22 August 2025
Contents
Summary
Whether you're starting your first job, returning to work, or seeking a fresh challenge, our Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship offers hands-on experience, with tailored support from City of Bristol College, and a welcoming team at the Planning Inspectorate.
- Wage
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£22,728 a year
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
This role is full-time, worked across Monday to Friday. We offer flexible working options, including flexi-time and home working, with a requirement to attend our Bristol office (near Temple Meads station) at least one day per week.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 3 November 2025
- Duration
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1 year 3 months
- Positions available
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5
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
- Process allocated work as directed ensuring that it is prioritised appropriately, completed accurately and to required deadlines and any associated tasks and actions are completed.
- Collate and coordinate documentation in line with GDPR and file maintenance policy.
- Data input on relevant systems, websites and / or databases, monitor and maintain appropriate records / systems ensuring that all relevant policies are adhered to.
- Keep customers and other stakeholders up to date on the status of the cases and respond to any queries.
- Deal promptly and courteously with enquiries received from Inspectors and office-based staff, local planning authorities, appellants and agents, interested parties and other Government Departments and Agencies both over the phone and in writing.
- Process correspondence, dealing with actions and enquiries as appropriate.
- Provide administrative or logistical support for events and in support of wider teams.
- Liaise with Inspectors on a wide range of scheduling and casework matters, working flexibly across teams.
Where you'll work
Bristol
Temple Meads
BS1 6PN
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CITY OF BRISTOL COLLEGE
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.
Training schedule
Training is delivered by City of Bristol College, through a structured programme of self-directed learning and coaching at our office in Bristol. The course is designed to fit in around your work schedule, with personalised support to help you progress confidently throughout the Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship. If required, you may also complete Functional Skills in English and maths.
More training information
In addition to your apprenticeship, the Planning Inspectorate will provide you with additional development activities to support you in building confidence, strengthening your workplace skills, and broadening your understanding of how we deliver public services.
Requirements
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Team working
- Time management skills
- Managing a quality service
- Developing self and others
Other requirements
You do not need any previous experience of working in this role, however, for us to consider your application you must meet the requirements set out below: Be at least 16 years old and have left full-time education when the apprenticeship starts. Been ordinarily resident in the UK or the British Overseas Territories, or the Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of the apprenticeship. Work at least 50% of your working hours in England if you live in Wales or Scotland. Be gaining substantive new skills and learning from the apprenticeship and does not hold a qualification in a level 3 or above in a related topic. Not be in receipt of funding for other learning programmes (including another apprenticeship). Applicants under the age of 19 must be prepared to undertake Functional Skills qualifications in Maths and English if they do not possess a minimum grade of C/4 in these subjects at GCSE (or equivalent) level. If you are a graduate, we will not be able to consider your application. The Civil Service Graduate Fast Stream Programme or non-apprenticeship jobs on Civil Service Jobs may be more appropriate for you. Successful applicants will undergo an initial assessment with City of Bristol College to determine prior learning and confirm eligibility. A conditional offer will be made based on the outcome of this assessment. Additionally, we must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.
About this employer
The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities that they live in and the economy; whether that is considering an appeal for housing, providing challenge and support to Local Authorities on Local Plans or providing recommendations to the Secretary of State on power stations, or airport expansions such as Heathrow.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/planning-inspectorate (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Flexible working options. 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays. Generous pension schemes.
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 the completion of the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship, you’ll have the skills, knowledge and behaviours to succeed in admin roles across the Civil Service, public sector, or private companies. Based on business needs and your performance, there may also be an opportunity for a full-time role in the planning inspectorate after the apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
Planning Inspectorate
PINS Recruitment Team
PINS.Recruitment@PlanningInspectorate.gov.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000338124.
Apply now
Closes in 15 days (Sunday 7 September 2025)
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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.