Telephone Interpreting Apprentice
thebigword
Leeds (LS12 6LL)
Closes in 26 days (Sunday 17 May 2026)
Posted on 20 April 2026
Contents
Summary
As a Telephone Interpreting Apprentice, you’ll support our Operations team while building skills for a career in Language Services. You’ll complete a Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship, gain hands‑on experience, work with experienced professionals, and handle calls with real autonomy, backed by strong team support.
- Wage
-
£19,500 a year
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
5 days from 7. Shifts and Days of work will be discussed during interview.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
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Monday 18 May 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 2 months
- Positions available
-
10
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
- Deliver professional telephone interpreting across both public and private sector settings, accurately conveying meaning, tone and intent between languages
- Support interpreting within a wide range of environments, including healthcare, legal, local authority, commercial and customer-facing services
- Prepare for and manage interpreting calls by understanding context, terminology and service requirements for each assignment
- Communicate clearly and professionally in both spoken languages, maintaining impartiality, confidentiality and accuracy at all times
- Apply interpreting best practice, including safeguarding, professional boundaries and escalation procedures, particularly during sensitive or complex calls
- Manage multiple interpreting requests, prioritising work effectively within a fast-paced operational environment
- Use telephone interpreting platforms and digital systems to handle calls, record outcomes and support service delivery
- Develop confidence, judgement and resilience through coaching, feedback and real-world interpreting scenarios
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and clients to ensure a high-quality interpreting service is delivered consistently
Where you'll work
Unit 4
Royds Close
Leeds
LS12 6LL
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SCL EDUCATION & TRAINING LIMITED
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
- You’ll work alongside experienced professionals in the industry, as well as a cohort of apprentices joining the organisation at the same time
- As a cohort of apprentices, your Apprentice Masterclasses will also be with familiar faces, and will be delivered either online or in-person at our offices or a near by location
More training information
- As a Telephone Interpreting Apprentice, you will play an important role in supporting our Operations team while developing the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to build a long-term career in Language Services
- This role offers hands-on experience in a fast-paced operational environment, supporting work that makes a real difference every day.
- You will complete a Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship, specifically designed with a focus on Telephone Interpreting and Public Sector services. Alongside your formal learning, you will gain practical insight into how language services operate at scale, develop sector knowledge, and build a strong foundation in professional services delivery
- You’ll work alongside experienced professionals in the industry, as well as a cohort of apprentices joining the organisation at the same time
- In this role, you will support the coordination and delivery of services to some of the world’s largest public and private sector organisations, across industries including automotive, pharmaceutical and global sports. Our work connects clients with professional linguists and specialists across more than 250 language combinations, ensuring critical communication can take place when it matters most
- As part of your apprenticeship, you will be at the centre of this operation - working closely with experienced colleagues, supporting day-to-day activities, and developing a clear understanding of how high-quality language services are delivered
- All of our teams work closely together and are supported by the wider business and our technology division
- You’ll take responsibility for each call you handle, giving you a high level of autonomy - with experienced support always available when you need it
Requirements
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
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Bi-Lingual
Other requirements
As an organisation we follow The Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for vetting. This will include a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Other vetting may be required depending on the clients you will service.
About this employer
At thebigword, we’re at the heart of global connection - translating over 1 billion words annually, powering communication in more than 250 languages, and orchestrating millions of interpreting minutes each year.
Every single day, our work impacts lives, from supporting NHS heroes to the world’s biggest brands. When you join our team, you’re not just starting a job - you’re becoming part of a passionate movement that breaks down barriers and unites people across the globe!
As part of thebigword family, you’ll unlock fantastic benefits: extra holiday days as you grow with us, exclusive discounts at top stores, and health perks designed with you in mind. Curious? Find out more by visiting our Perks page.
We champion creativity, collaboration, and personal growth in an environment where your ideas matter. From Equality, Diversity & Inclusion to Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability, and wellbeing, we genuinely care - and we encourage every team member to give back with two volunteer days each year.
Grow your future with us through top-tier training and development, tailored to help your career soar. If you’re ready to make a real impact and help us eradicate the final barrier to global communication, we’d love to meet you.
https://careers.thebigword.com/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
View our amazing perks, here: https://careers.thebigword.com/pages/perks-uk
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
- As a Telephone Interpreting Apprentice, you’ll play a vital role in supporting our Operations team while building the skills, confidence and professional judgement needed for a rewarding career in Language Services
- Your apprenticeship will open the door to future opportunities - whether progressing with us at thebigword as an employee or moving to the Freelance community, or taking your expertise forward as a language professional in the wider sector
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SCL EDUCATION & TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000027182.
Apply now
Closes in 26 days (Sunday 17 May 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.