Level 3 Business Support Apprentice

Plymouth City Council

Devon (PL1 3BJ)

Closes in 14 days (Tuesday 25 August 2026)

Posted on 11 August 2026

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Summary

We are excited to offer an apprenticeship opportunity within our Business Support Team. This role provides a fantastic chance to develop skills, gain hands-on experience, and contribute to meaningful work in a supportive and dynamic environment.

• Wage:

  £21,600 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  (£21,600 Age 16-20) & (£23,556) Age 21+ per annum

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: The location of this role will be split between Chelson Meadow and Prince Rock Depot.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Thursday 1 October 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

As a Business Support Administrator Apprentice, you will:

• Manage and respond to emails in a professional and timely manner
• Use Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and Teams, to support day‑to‑day business activities
• Handle inbound and outbound telephone calls, providing a courteous and professional service
• Work with internal systems and platforms, including financial systems such as Civica (full training provided)
• Support financial and administrative processes with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Build and maintain effective working relationships within a team environment
• Manage and prioritise a rotating workload to meet deadlines and service standards
• Rotate through a variety of business support functions to develop a broad range of skills and experience

The role involves both process‑driven tasks and customer‑focused administrative work, contributing to the delivery of an efficient, high‑quality service.

Where you'll work

Ballard House
West Hoe Road
Plymouth
Devon
PL1 3BJ

Training

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

Training provider

PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL

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 Business Support apprenticeship will be supported by a local training provider, and you will be given allocated time during the working week for off-the-job training. 

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

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

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
• Team working

Other requirements

Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment.

About this employer

We are the local authority for Plymouth, providing services and information to many of the area’s 262,700 residents as well as businesses and visitors. We employ over 2500 members of staff in a wide range of occupations including health consultant, park ranger, children’s social worker, refuse driver, registrar, housing delivery officer and customer support assistants. Plymouth City Council is a Disability Confident Leader and equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of any of the protected characteristics. As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.

https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/current-vacancies (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

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

After successful completion of the apprenticeship, there may be the opportunity to progress to a higher level or apply for a permanent role in the council if one is available and suitable at the end of your learning. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Plymouth City Council

Mel Owen

mel.owen@plymouth.gov.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000047663.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Tuesday 25 August 2026)

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