Democratic Services and Elections Apprentice

Stroud District Council

Gloucestershire (GL5 4UB)

Closes on Sunday 12 July 2026

Posted on 4 June 2026

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Summary

To gain business skills and become an effective member of the Democratic Services & Elections Team, whilst gaining a formal qualification in Business Administration.

• Wage:

  Competitive

  Competitive wage offered

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  16-20 - £20,933

  21+ - £24,521

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: 37-hours per week, working days and hours TBC

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 1 September 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 3 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

• Support the administration of Council and committee meetings, including preparing, checking and publishing agendas and reports
• Attend meetings and assist with note taking, drafting minutes and follow-up actions
• Support the provision of services to councillors, including helping organise training, briefings and civic events
• Provide administrative support for elections and electoral registration functions including upkeep of the electoral register and the Electoral Registration Officer Portal
• Work with colleagues to support the delivery of all Parish, District, County, Parliamentary elections and Referenda
• Assist with projects that encourage public engagement and democratic participation
• Provide high quality administrative support to the Democratic Services and Elections Team and wider Policy, Governance and Engagement Service where required
• Maintain accurate records, registers and filing systems
• Provide frontline and high-level customer service by responding to queries and complaints, explaining processes and resolving queries
• Handle sensitive information appropriately, maintaining confidentiality in line with data protection requirements
• Undertake the Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship and apply learning in the workplace
• Provide practical evidence of learning to support achievement of the formal qualification
• Demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement and personal development
• Understand the value of working for an employer who is committed to equality of opportunity
• Undertake any other duties that commensurate with the grade of the post, as may be required from time to time
• Good general education or equivalent experience
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to organise work and manage time effectively
• Good attention to detail and accuracy
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills
• Understanding of the importance of customer service
• Ability to undertake work consistent with a comparatively basic knowledge and skills requirement, which encompasses a range of tasks involving the application of readily understood rules, procedures or techniques

Where you'll work

Ebley Mill
Ebley Wharf
Stroud
Gloucestershire
GL5 4UB

Training

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

Training provider

CIRENCESTER 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

• Cirencester College 
• Business Administration Level 3
• Whilst the majority of training will take place at the employers' premises, there will be occasional attendance required at Cirencester College

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
• Administrative skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative

Other requirements

• Committed to working for an employer that values diversity and equality of opportunity
• Willingness to work flexibly, including occasional evening meetings

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience of administrative tasks such as filing, data entry or note taking
• Experience of working in a customer facing environment
• Experience of using databases or record management systems

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE:

• Understanding of local government and democratic processes
• Awareness of elections and electoral registration
• Experience of using digital systems or online platforms
• Ability to draft clear and accurate written information
• To work with communities sometimes outside normal office hours, including weekends
• To ensure that at all times service delivery informs, reflects and supports the Council’s prevailing aims and objectives
• To work with colleagues across the organisation as required in support of organisational goals
• To promote the Council’s overall commitment to equality of opportunity/Diversity at all times and work within the requirements of the Council’s Equality Scheme
• To undertake all training and development initiatives as required
• To work within Health and Safety guidelines in accordance with the Health and Safety at work Act
• To work within the requirements of the Council’s Environmental Policy and Management System
• To undertake any appropriate duties required to meet the Council’s obligations under the Civil Contingencies Act
• To undertake all appropriate duties required to meet the Council’s safeguarding obligations according to the Children’s Act (2004), Working Together to Safeguard Children Statutory Guidance (2018), the Care Act (2014) and the Care and Support Statutory Guidance (2014), Mental Health Capacity Act (2005), and Deprivation of Liberty Standards (2007)

About this employer

Stroud District Council is the local government authority for the Stroud district in Gloucestershire, England, headquartered at Ebley Mill.

https://www.stroud.gov.uk/ (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

Potential for a full-time role once the apprenticeship has been completed. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CIRENCESTER COLLEGE

Apprenticeships

apprenticeships@cirencester.ac.uk

01285 626259

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000035092.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 12 July 2026