Business Admin Apprentice

EDSENTIAL COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Ellesmere Port (CH65 3EY)

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 25 March 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 12 March 2026

Print

Contents

Summary

Provide administrative and clerical assistance to the catering team with a focus on absence management activities. Supporting the service to ensure it is appropriately covered and absence is well managed.

Wage

£15,392 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday- Friday Shifts to be confirmed.

37 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 8 April 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

  • Provide high quality, accurate admin support to all Edsential teams as required by the Catering & Cleaning Efficiency Manager 
  • Provide excellent customer support to schools and school kitchens 
  • Support and prepare reports where required 
  • Prepare filing and maintain information systems in accordance with GDPR standards 
  • Be the first point of contact for absence management activities and related queries within the Catering Team 
  • Manage the central absence telephone line and cover desk with support, arranging cover appropriately   
  • Monitor the Catering Team’s central inbox for absence, ensuring that all absence data and documentation is processed confidentially and accurately 
  • Maintain accurate and up to date absence information on the HR system and ensure that sickness absence cases that have come to an end are closed appropriately ahead of payroll submission 
  • Responsible for maintaining contact with absent employees, understanding reasons for absence and likely duration of absence 
  • Ensure appropriate sickness certification is obtained where required and uploaded to the HR System 
  • Monitor return to works to identify trends to support the management of absence within the service 
  • Monitor absence triggers and action appropriately, escalating cases to Business Managers and the HR Team where required 
  • Complete all related administration relating to absence review meetings including invitation letters, uploading meeting documentation and sending this through to the employee 
  • Support the implementation of the Absence Management procedure across the service to ensure all parties understand the procedure and related expectations and responsibilities 

Where you'll work

Unit 7, Rossmore Business Village
Inward Way
Ellesmere Port
CH65 3EY

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

  • The apprentice will receive training from a workplace mentor and a vocationally competent assessor towards the Business Administrator
  • Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard. In addition, they will complete Functional Skills Level 2 in maths and English as part of the apprenticeship, unless evidence of exemption can be provided

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C/4)
  • Maths (grade C/4)

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
  • Team working

About this employer

Edsential Community Interest Company is owned by Cheshire West and Chester Council and Wirral Council, dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young people through the provision of high-quality, ethical, and innovative services. The company's mission is to directly reinvest any profits into improving services and supporting progress in schools within the community. Edsential provides a wide range of services, including catering, cleaning, music, residential, governors, creative and performing arts, learning outside the classroom, health and wellbeing, and holiday activity fund. 

After this apprenticeship

  • Ability to progress onto a higher level apprenticeship

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

Becky Smythe

becky.smythe@ccsw.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000020492.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 25 March 2026 at 11:59pm)