Housing Business Administration Apprentice (Darlington Borough Council)
darlington borough council
Darlington (DL1 5QT)
Closes in 13 days (Thursday 9 October 2025)
Posted on 25 September 2025
Contents
Summary
We are looking for 4 highly motivated Business Administration apprentices to provide an office-based, efficient and comprehensive business & administrative support service. These roles include communicating with the public, creating & presenting reports/ invoices using a range of electronic software, minute taking & other administrative duties.
- Wage
-
£14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday (Core hours 08.30 – 17.00).
Flexi time available.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 10 November 2025
- Duration
-
1 year 6 months
- Positions available
-
4
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
Your weekly tasks could include:
- To undertake a range of business support tasks such as managing your own emails, copying, scanning, faxing, archiving, post, answering the telephone and taking messages.
- Input data accurately both manually and electronically on multiple systems, including extracting basic information within set parameters, checking the correct information is provided and chasing missing data.
- To produce basic performance management reports.
- Carry out basic audit and quality control of data input.
- Copy typing from notes, including completing standardised templates.
- To have an excellent understanding of your specific service from training provided in each area of our practices.
- Provide support to deal with a wide range of customer enquiries, ensuring a friendly and responsive service to telephone enquiries, email and visitors, e.g. answering routine queries, signposting and taking messages where appropriate.
- To carry out routine basic invoicing, creating purchase orders, handling of credit cards to include making ad hoc purchases as requested.
- Provide telephone cover and assistance for other teams as required.
- To input, complete and update both manual and electronic standard format data, checking the correct information is provided and chasing missing data.
- Produce standard reports and presentations.
- The population and creation of basic spreadsheets.
- Take basic notes at meetings for purposes within your own team.
- To provide basic facilities management – setting up rooms for meetings, ensuring the required equipment and resources are available and assisting attendees.
- Undertake the co-ordination of public information and literature, ensuring stock levels are maintained and in date.
- Perform diary management functions for officers in the authority, including arranging and re-arranging meetings, room booking and organising refreshments.
Where you'll work
Town Hall
Feethams
Darlington
DL1 5QT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
DARLINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL
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 will be provided to achieve the following qualifications:
Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard.
Training will take place weekly, on a day release basis, at Darlington Borough Council Learning & Skills training centre (DL1 5AJ). Here you will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours to ensure these exceed the minimum requirements for the Business Administrator Level 3 apprenticeship standards.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4+/ C+)
- Mathematics (grade 4+/ C+)
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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Follow instructions
- Maintain confidentiality
Other requirements
You will be required to attend our training centre in Darlington (DL1 5AJ) and you will need to make your own way there for day release training. Travel to and from the employer, based at The Town Hall, Feethams, Darlington (DL1 5QT).
About this employer
Darlington Borough Council is a local authority in the NE East of England that serves the people of the Darlington Borough. Your reward for working at the Council goes beyond the salary you receive. In addition to pay, we are committed to offering a wide range of benefits. Such as: 31 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays, with option to purchase Additional Annual Leave (pro rata), Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with option to make Additional Voluntary Contributions, Flexi-time scheme Enhanced Maternity/Paternity and Adoption Leave payments, Green Car leasing scheme, Cycle to Work scheme in partnership with Halfords, Access to free Physiotherapy sessions, Access to free and confidential counselling, Reduced cost membership to the Council’s leisure centre Fit for Life Package , Season ticket car parking permits or subsidised Town Centre parking permits subject to conditions, Access to Childcare Vouchers scheme subject to conditions, Access to a wide range of training Discounted Arriva Bus Travel Pass.
After this apprenticeship
Learners could progress to:
- Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship.
- Full-time employment upon completion of apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
DARLINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL
Graham Curry
graham.curry@darlington.gov.uk
07949845325
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000343092.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Thursday 9 October 2025)
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