Business Administrator Apprentice (Programme Management Team)

Cheshire West and Chester Council

Recruiting nationally

Closes in 15 days (Saturday 11 July 2026)

Posted on 26 June 2026

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Summary

Be part of an outstanding council apprenticeship programme with a nationally recognised Top 100 Apprentice Employer and a 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:

  £25,185 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Starting salary of £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 27 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 West and Chester’s Employment and Skills Service, part of the wider economy and housing Directorate.

You will carry out a range of administrative tasks to support the
Connect to Work Programme Management Team, helping to organise meetings, manage information, update systems, and support the delivery of employment and skills programmes. You will also support day-to-day admin tasks and respond to enquiries from colleagues, partners, and participants

This role will have mentor support from the Inclusive Employment Manager and a dedicated Apprentice Programme Tutor.

On successful completion of the Level 3 in Business Administrator
Apprentice Standard and review of performance, the post holder
will progress to the substantive post of Connect to Work Business Administrator (Programme Management Team).

Notwithstanding the detail in this job description, the job holder
will undertake such work as may be determined by the Manager
from time to time, up to or at a level consistent with the Principal
Responsibilities of the job.

This role is designated as: Fully Agile: Workers work from a home
base with occasional visits to a Council office. In practice, work
may be carried out from almost anywhere. Many services and customers span across the Borough and therefore you may be required to work at any location in Cheshire West and Chester.

With appropriate support and supervision, the apprentice will…

• Support the Connect to Work operational functions by assisting in monitoring programme performance against KPIs, maintaining programme documentation, and supporting contract compliance activities.
• Support the Programme Management Team with day-to-day operational tasks such as planning meetings, preparing agendas, taking meeting minutes, and circulating actions. tracking progress, and ensuring delivery teams have everything they need to operate efficiently.
• Responsible for ensuring that programme data is accurate, compliant, and up to date. Maintains participant records within CRM
systems, uploads evidence, logs attendance, and ensures all documentation meets the required audit and funding standards.
• Assist with generating reports for managers, delivery teams, and funders, while supporting data quality checks and contributing to
improvements in reporting and compliance processes.
• Provide essential operational support by helping to review programme performance against key indicators, maintaining
programme records and documentation, and assisting with the delivery of contract compliance responsibilities.
• Support continuous improvement activities by gathering routine feedback, logging issues or suggestions raised by participants or partners, and contributing to service improvement
actions. This may include supporting surveys, compiling data, or assisting with internal reviews.
• Assist with participant expense claims, manage procurement processes, and complete other routine administrative duties.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts across the programme. Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve participant experience, and enhance the effectiveness of programme operations.
• Work collaboratively with the Programme Management Team to help ensure that Connect to Work remains efficient, participant-centred, and aligned with organisational goals.

Where you'll work

This role is designated as: Fully Agile: Workers work from a home
base with occasional visits to a Council office. In practice, work
may be carried out from almost anywhere.
Many services and customers span across the Borough and
therefore you may be required to work at any location in
Cheshire West and Chester.

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 Connect to Work
  Business Administrator (Programme Management Team). 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000039379.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Saturday 11 July 2026)

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