Business Administration Apprentice

Devon County Council

Totnes (TQ9 5NE)

Closes in 13 days (Thursday 5 February 2026)

Posted on 19 January 2026

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Summary

Through our Step In Apprenticeship Programme, we have an excellent opportunity for the right candidate. We are recruiting for a Business Administration Apprentice within the Business Support Team working within Children’s Social Care. Apprentices will work towards a Level 3 Business Administration qualification.

• Wage:

  £24,796 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  We offer a highly competitive starting salary of £24,796 per annum, a starting holiday entitlement of 26 days, flexible working arrangements and training. .

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. However, there is the option of flexible working arrangements. 18-20-month contract.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 2 March 2026

• 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

• Undertake administrative tasks, for example, record keeping (both manual and computerised), filing, responding to routine correspondence, photocopying, message taking, word processing, data input and retrieval, as required
• Assist with the distribution of incoming mail and despatch of outgoing mail as required
• Receive enquiries by telephone, face to face and email and take appropriate action to ensure that such enquiries are properly responded to, learning to make appropriate decisions to either responding personally or redirecting to an appropriate officer
• Provide support to staff members as appropriate, including arranging meetings, appointments and diary maintenance and co-ordination, and to take minutes/notes of meetings and undertake appropriate follow up action
• Assist in the analysis, preparation, compilation and distribution of statistical and other information, through the formulation of reports and documentation
• Learn to work effectively as part of a team as well as on own initiative, including undertaking research and being involved in the development, implementation and improvement of administrative services and procedures
• Maintain up to date and accurate records
• Assist in a range of financial or related activities, including ordering, invoice processing, maintenance of accounts, charging systems and appropriate records, administration of allowances, grants and agency payments, assessment for and collection of income, payment of fees, provision of stationery, conduct inventories etc.
• Conform to, actively commit to and promote DCC Customer Service Standards both with internal and external customers when using any communication media including telephone, email and face to face
• Adhere to existing working practices, methods, procedures, undertake relevant training and development activities and to respond positively to new and alternative systems
• Work with information technology and associate systems in accordance with County Council policies and to observe data protection guidelines, policies and procedures
• Co-operate with the Council in complying with relevant health and safety legislation, policies and procedures in performance of the duties of the post
• Carry out the duties and responsibilities of the post in compliance with the County Council’s Equal Opportunities policies
• Understand and comply with the County Council’s Environmental policies
• Maintain an excellent level of attendance at apprentice training sessions and successfully achieve the required level 3 qualification

Where you'll work

Follaton House
Plymouth Road
Totnes
TQ9 5NE

Training

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

Training provider

MBKB LTD

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

Starting in March 2026, the duration of the apprenticeship contract will be 18-20-months.

Apprentices will work towards a Level 3 Business Administration qualification. This will be supported by a combination of training and practical work experience.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4, C or above)

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

Skills

• Communication skills
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Keen and enthusiastic to learn
• motivated to succeed
• Able to listen carefully
• Resilient

Other requirements

As part of your application, you must write a supporting statement. Refer to the job description and person specification and include examples that demonstrate your skills and qualities. This statement is a crucial part of the selection process and will help determine if you're invited to interview.

About this employer

At Devon County Council, we work together to improve life across Devon for everyone. We want to create a place that people enjoy living in, as well as a place that you enjoy working.

http://www.workingfordevon.com/ (opens in new tab)

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

• This is an extremely exciting time to join us as we are expanding our apprenticeship offer to invest in the future Council workforce
• There are no guarantees of employment at the end of the Step In Programme, but we would expect the apprentice to apply for further employment, ideally within the Council or within the wider Devon economy

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

MBKB LTD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000009411.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Thursday 5 February 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.