Apprentice Business Support Officer

West Suffolk College

Ipswich (IP1 2BX)

Closes in 14 days (Friday 28 November 2025)

Posted on 11 November 2025

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Summary

West Suffolk College is one of the country’s leading further education and apprenticeship providers. Our apprenticeship results have consistently remained above the national average. We offer many degrees, HNCs and HNDs at our focused and inclusive University Studies Centre.

Wage

£0 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

AP1 14527 Apprentice rate/Under 18 rate AP2 19240 Age 18-20 AP3 23493 Age 21 + over

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Thursday, 08:30 - 17:00 and Friday, 08:30 - 16:30

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 15 December 2025

Duration

2 years

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

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  • This role will be responsible for providing full administrative support to all workstreams, projects and business as usual within SNEE Training Hub
  • Act as the first point of contact for specific project areas and for the SNEE Training Hud, dealing with routine and specialist enquiries in a pleasant and helpful manner
  • Support the administration and coordination of all student placements across the Training Hub
  • Liaise with practices, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and finance teams to coordinate placements, manage funding allocations and resolve invoice or general queries
  • Manage internal student databases and ensure accurate and timely data collection and reporting
  • Provide general administrative support, including photocopying, word processing and office management tasks
  • Coordinate and support meetings, book venues, send invites, set agendas, take minutes and produce meeting papers and reports
  • Provide administrative support for training courses, including booking rooms and equipment, arranging trainer and managing delegate bookings
  • Assist in the creation of training materials and induction packs to support training programmes
  • Recognise when to escalate enquiries outside your area of knowledge to the appropriate teams membe
  • Attend mandatory training as required
  • The above job description is not exhaustive, and the employee may be required to undertake any other reasonable duties in line with the general level of responsibility of the role
  • The postholder will work closely with colleagues across the Education Group and the Training Hub, as well as with external partners including higher education institutions, primary care providers and other stakeholders

Where you'll work

Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road
Ipswich
IP1 2BX

Training

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

Training provider

WEST SUFFOLK 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

The learner will be studying the Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard qualification

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths and English (grade 4-9)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • IT skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Administrative skills

Other requirements

This is a Hybrid role including on-site work at Endeavour House, Ipswich. The ideal candidate will be organised, detail-focused and able to communicate clearly with a wide range of people. Competence in Microsoft Office and an ability to manage workload effectively is also important.

About this employer

West Suffolk College is a Further Education college in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The college delivers a range of courses, including vocational and technical courses, apprenticeships, and an array of higher-apprenticeships and bachelor degree courses accredited by the University of East Anglia.

After this apprenticeship

  • There will be career progression opportunities once the apprenticeship has been completed

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000000109.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Friday 28 November 2025)

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