Business Support Apprentice

ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURAL ENTERPRISES

Co Durham (DL13 2FJ)

Closes in 17 days (Friday 12 June 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 26 May 2026

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Summary

You will be at the heart of the business as we support our members and the sector. You’ll be working with and learning from our small team to assist them in their day-to-day work by providing business and administrative support. From helping to organise events and supporting our members, there will be great variety within the role.

Wage

£14,560 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

For the first year of your apprenticeship, your hourly rate will be £8 per hour. This will then increase to National Living Wage for the remainder of the apprenticeship.

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, equivalent to 35 hours per week, exclusive of a 1 hour unpaid lunch break daily. May include some evening work - working patterns can be discussed on interview.

35 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 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

You will be able to develop your skills within the workplace and through the Apprenticeship programme to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours to develop your career and understanding of the role.

You will work with our team to provide administrative support across all elements of our work including events management and membership engagement. Training and support will be provided throughout the apprenticeship to ensure you learn new skills and gain practical experience. 

You will:

  • Support the Association to deliver high quality events by monitoring bookings and ensuring that all relevant data is captured, cross-checked and recorded across our CRM/finance systems.
  • Monitor payments for events and other services and chase up outstanding invoices by contacting the relevant person within a member organisation.
  • Create and print resources for events such as badges, delegate lists etc.
  • Communicate with our members such as sending email reminders for events, helping with evaluation (such as surveys after an event) and helping with enquiries, directing them to the relevant member of the team where required.
  • Create and send invoices for our services including membership and events - checking the details on invoices are correct.
  • Keep our digital records up to date including collecting and collating membership information.
  • Help our team to plan any travel and accommodation they may require including record keeping for finances.
  • Attend monthly team meetings to learn more about our work and ways you can further support our team.

Where you'll work

Unit B7 Durham Dales Centre
Castle Gardens
Stanhope
Co Durham
DL13 2FJ

Training

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

Training provider

DERWENTSIDE 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 apprenticeship will be delivered fully within the workplace. 

Requirements

Desirable 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
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working

Other requirements

Applicants must be 21 years old or above - due to organisational safeguarding and health and safety requirements.

About this employer

Cultural Enterprises is the only charity and trade body for the arts, heritage and cultural sector that brings together learning, experience and best practice in revenue generation, representing over 1,650 sites across the UK and beyond.
 

 

https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

We would explore the possibility of further training opportunities and/or progression into the sector in another way; having already equipped you with valuable skills, knowledge and experience during the apprenticeship.

After this apprenticeship

We would explore the possibility of further training opportunities and/or progression into the sector.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DERWENTSIDE COLLEGE

Julia Heppell

info@culturalenterprises.org.uk

0138 8741394

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000033051.

Apply now

Closes in 17 days (Friday 12 June 2026 at 11:59pm)