Business Administrator Apprentice

Cheshire West and Chester Council

Ellesmere Port (CH65 0BA)

Closes in 12 days (Sunday 5 July 2026)

Posted on 23 June 2026

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Summary

Be part of an outstanding council apprenticeship programme with a nationally recognised, Top 100 Apprentice Employer and Regionally awarded Apprentice Employer of the Year. Join us on a permanent contract, gain real experience and a recognised qualification, and progress your career within the council. 

• Wage:

  £24,796 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Starting salary of £24,796 rising to £25,185 during the apprenticeship, with further progression upon appointment to the substantive officer role in line with the Council’s pay structure

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: The apprentice will work within standard Council working hours, with the exact working pattern to be agreed at interview. Some flexibility may be required depending on service needs.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Thursday 20 August 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

The Business Administrator Apprentice is a key role within Cheshire Westand Chester Council’s Business Governance and Improvement team, part of the wider Children’s and Families Directorate.

This apprenticeship offers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in abusy office environment, supporting communications, data management,and a wide range of administrative activities. You will develop keyadministrative skills, learn how to manage priorities, and build confidenceworking as part of a professional team within a public service.

This role is essential in undertaking a variety of administrative activities tosupport the Business Governance and Improvement team and widerservice, including maintaining accurate records and data, handling enquiries,and assisting with service delivery. This is in addition to carrying out generaladministrative duties such managing records, supporting meetings, processing financial information, and responding to customer enquiries in aprofessional and timely manner.

You will receive support from the Inclusive Employment Manager, alongside guidance from a dedicated Apprenticeship Programme Tutor and a workplace mentor throughout your apprenticeship.

Upon successful completion of the Level 3 Business Administrator
Apprenticeship Standard, and subject to performance review, you will
progress into the substantive post of Business Support Officer.

This role is a hybrid role, meaning that the position will be flexible and
mobile, working at the contractual work base, but will also work in the
community, at other council locations, partner buildings, at home or other suitable locations.

Notwithstanding the detail in this job description, in accordance with the Council's Flexibility Policy the job holder will undertake such work as may be determined by the Director/Corporate Manager from time to time, up to or at a level consistent with the Principal Responsibilities of the job and in any location within Cheshire West and Chester.

With appropriate support and supervision, the Apprentice will:

• Provide general clerical support for the service including data processing, photocopying, filing, collation of information,
  distribution of mail etc to ensure the efficient and timely provision of information
• Deal with telephone and face to face enquiries to ensure that all calls/visitors are handled efficiently and effectively and good relations fostered
• Maintain and update business andperformance data ensuring that accurate information is stored securely and available for use by appropriate persons
• Checking, process and raise invoices to ensure that bills are paid accurately and promptly and accurate up to date financial records
  maintained
• Ordering materials and equipment on behalf of the service maintaining stock levels of office supplies and consumables
• Prepare reports and papers for meetings and attend meetings where required to present the information
• Support and assist with the organisation of meetings and events
• Provide clerical support for meetings, including preparing agendas, room bookings, minute taking
• Other admin support functions including, purchase orders and procuring goods under the direction of the Family Help Manager

Where you'll work

The Portal
Wellington Road
Ellesmere Port
CH65 0BA

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

• An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation
• At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying on employer sites or via Microsoft Teams
• Delivery is to be discussed with the training provider and the hiring manager must suit operational needs

More training information

• Training will be delivered through a blend of workplace learning and formal off‑the‑job training
• Most training will take place at the apprentice’s normal place of work, with additional learning delivered by the training provider through college attendance, online learning, workshops, or Microsoft Teams
• Training will take place on a regular basis throughout the apprenticeship, with protected time during working hours to attend training sessions, complete learning activities, and prepare for assessments
• The exact schedule will be agreed between the apprentice, line manager, and training provider as part of the individual training plan

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 9-4 C-A*)
• Maths (grade 9-4 C-A*)

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
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

About this employer

Our work spans over 3,900 colleagues across hundreds of roles, professions and services, making us one of the most diverse and complex employers in the region. We are responsible for delivering a wide range of essential public services and strategic priorities that shape the places, communities and lives of our residents every single day.

From frontline delivery to professional, technical and corporate roles, our organisation brings together expertise from across disciplines to respond to the evolving needs of our borough — supporting people, strengthening communities and driving long-term change at scale.

https://www.cwcrecruitment.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• Permanent apprenticeships from day one
• We work closely and positively with our recognised trade unions (Unison, GMB and Unite) to make sure that the views of our colleagues are heard

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

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

• On successful completion of the apprenticeship, the post
  holder will progress to the substantive post of Business Support Officer

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000038576.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Sunday 5 July 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.