Business Administration Apprentice (Open to Care Leavers Only)
Devon County Council
Exeter (EX2 4QD)
Closes in 20 days (Friday 12 June 2026)
Posted on 22 May 2026
Contents
Summary
Are you looking to work in an organisation where you are valued and provided with an attractive benefits package? Through our Step In Apprenticeship Programme, we are looking for a Business Administration Apprentice to join our Business Support Team working in the Quality Assurance, Reviewing and Safeguarding Service.
- Wage
-
£25,185 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
We offer a highly competitive starting salary of £25,185 - £25,583 per annum, 26 days holiday, flexible working arrangements and training.
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Typically, you would be working 9.00am - 5.00pm, Monday - Friday.
Flexible working opportunities available, including home working. However. this will be subject to the needs of the role.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 3 August 2026
- Duration
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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 using a laptop, various internal systems and Microsoft packages to conduct your role.
- Working in an office environment.
- Drafting & responding to emails.
- Uploading/downloading evidence to/from internal systems, including quality checks to ensure information uploaded to systems is accurate, complete, and compliant.
- Applying confidentiality and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) principles when handling sensitive information.
- Inputting data into spreadsheet/word documents.
- Supporting with Subject Access Requests/Police Search requests.
- Ingoing/outgoing mail.
- Processing and sending out letters.
- Managing and maintaining accurate electronic and paper records in line with data protection and retention policies.
- Please note that this role may involve access to and review of confidential or potentially sensitive information. Appropriate support and guidance will be provided.
Where you'll work
Devon County Hall
Topsham Road
Exeter
EX2 4QD
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
The duration of the Apprenticeship contract will be 18 months. This is a great opportunity to balance work and study.
Apprentices will work towards a level 3 qualification in Business Administration. This will be supported by a combination of training and practical work experience, allowing you to apply your learning to your work.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
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
- Administrative skills
- Team working
- Initiative
Other requirements
Please note this post is open to care leavers only. The legal definition of a care leaver is a young person aged 16-25 years old who has been 'looked after' by the local authority at some point since they were 14 years old and were in care on or after their 16th birthday. Interview Date: Week commencing 25th March
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.
https://www.devon.gov.uk/workingfordevon/work-in/early-careers/step-in/ (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
There are no guarantees of employment at the end of the 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 VAC2000033250.
Apply now
Closes in 20 days (Friday 12 June 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.