Business Administrator Apprentice

Cheshire West and Chester Council

Recruiting nationally

Closes in 24 days (Saturday 18 October 2025)

Posted on 24 September 2025

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Summary

Children Social Care service presents a brilliant early career pathway for a Business Administrator Apprentice. We offer an outstanding salary and an extensive reward and benefits package. This role offers a permanent position and enables a chance to develop the skills and knowledge to become a Business Support Assistant within a wonderful service.

• Wage:

  £24,413 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  During your apprenticeship your gross annual salary will be from £24,413 per annum to Salary Max £24,793 per annum until you move into the substantive officer post with a further increase in salary in line with council pay structures.

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: Monday to Friday; this role is ‘hybrid’ means working from Council Hub buildings, and from home, to be discussed with the line manager (exact shifts to be confirmed) as we offer flexible working opportunities.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 17 November 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

The Apprentice Business Administrator is a key role within Cheshire West and Chester’s Children’s Social Care Service, which is within the wider Health and Wellbeing Directorate. 

This apprentice role offers the opportunity to develop valuable experience of working within a busy administrative environment and acquire the skills and knowledge to become a Business Support Assistant. 

The Apprentice Business Administrator will provide a wide range of essential administrative and business support activities to assist the children’s social care service. 

This apprenticeship will have line manager, workplace mentor, inclusive employment manager and a dedicated apprentice programme tutor. 

On successful completion of the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard and review of performance, the post holder will progress to the substantive post of Business Support Assistant. 

This role is ‘Hybrid’ which means working from Council Hub buildings and from home.

Notwithstanding the detail in this Job Role Profile, the job holder will undertake such work as may be determined by the Manager from time to time, up to or at a level consistent with the Principal Responsibilities of the job.

Typical duration for this Level 3 Business Administrator qualification is 18 months and 3 months duration to complete, the End Point Assessment. Apprenticeship training will be delivered on-site and via Microsoft Teams. 

Responsibilities the apprentice will have, with appropriate support and supervision:

• Support the work of Children’s Social Care by providing comprehensive, administrative and finance support to ensure service needs are met and business levels maintained
• Undertake activities connected with supporting the work of the team and wider service to achieve optimum efficiency and effectiveness
• Respond to all enquiries to ensure prompt accurate communication standards are met and maintained
• Input and update service and customer data bases ensuring that the accuracy and integrity of the information is maintained
• Retrieve and extract data in the form of summary reports, excel spreadsheets or word documents so that managers and multi agency partners can be assisted in their decision making
• Highlight potential areas for improvement to systems, functions and activities to the manager 

Where you'll work

This role is ‘hybrid’ which means working from Council Hub buildings and from home. You will have a specific Cheshire West and Chester designated office base in the contract of employment, which is the Portal building in Ellesmere Port, but may be required to attend other office bases or locations on an as needed basis. Can be discussed during interview.

Training

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

Training provider

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

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

Our apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 9-4 C-A*)
• Maths (grade 9-4 C-A*)

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
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

About this employer

Play your part towards a stronger future at Cheshire West and Chester Council. We believe a stronger future where we all play our part in thriving, caring and sustainable communities. Grow your career, make a difference at Cheshire West and Chester Council. We pride ourselves and doing things differently. Our Council provides vital services which touch all aspects of people’s lives every day. We are driven by doing things differently, working on a wide variety of exciting change programmes to tackle challenges across our borough. With almost 3,500 employees, we are responsible for well known services such as , museums, libraries, environment operations, transport and highways, social care, schools, housing, planning and waste collection, but there is much more to what we do such as supporting businesses, registering births, and marriages, pest control , supporting careers in finance, legal, data and more!

https://www.cwcrecruitment.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

You’ll have up to 31 days annual leave each year. Even more flexibility is offered with the option to purchase more annual leave. Great discounts at a variety of retail and leisure outlets for shopping, travel, holidays and cinema tickets.

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

• Upon appointment you have a perminent contract of employment.
• On successful completion of the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard, you will progress to the substantive post of Business Support Assistant. This will include an increase in salary in accordance with Council pay scales. 
• Learning & Growth - You’ll be encouraged and supported to grow and develop your knowledge, skills and career.
  • You can choose to pursue a range of experiences and career journeys.
  • Regular play your part conversations will help you focus on personal growth and how your own progression supports the Council’s priorities.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000343523.

Apply now

Closes in 24 days (Saturday 18 October 2025)

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