Business Administrator Apprentice
Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR)
Cheltenham, London, Merseyside
Closes in 27 days (Tuesday 15 September 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 18 August 2026
Contents
Summary
An exciting opportunity to join the Governance and Private Office (GPO). You'll help to ensure that ONR’s governance is effective and transparent, personal data is processed lawfully and securely against data protection legislation, and protected disclosures are handled fairly, confidentially and within expected standards.
- Wage
-
£25,122 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Salary is £25,122 to £27,956 per annum.
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
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Monday to Friday, flexible working, daily hours to be discussed at interview, and the working week will be 37 hours.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 5 October 2026
- Duration
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1 year 6 months
- Positions available
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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
Job Role/Purpose:
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is the United Kingdom’s independent statutory regulator for nuclear safety, civil nuclear security, safeguards, and conventional health and safety on licensed sites.
This role sits within the Governance and Private Office (GPO). Working with a breadth and depth of roles across ONR, you will help to ensure that ONR’s governance is effective and transparent, personal data is processed lawfully and securely against data protection legislation, and protected disclosures (whistleblowing cases) are handled fairly, confidentially and within expected standards.
Principal Responsibilities:
- Provision of effective governance support for the GPO Management Team. This will include proactively drafting agendas, co-ordinating the timely preparation and quality of reports by others, taking accurate minutes of meetings and pro-actively following up action points to ensure they are satisfactorily executed
- Maintaining accurate forward plans that are aligned across ONR and reflects the various dependencies/interdependencies
- Supporting day-to-day Data Protection/Whistleblowing case management activity including initial screenings of Data Protection Impact Assessments, horizon scanning and housekeeping
- Leading on key publications including ONR Board expenses, register of interests and biographies
- Coordination of the full schedule of meeting dates for ONR Board, Board Committees and senior leadership teams
- Supporting the GPO in the agenda preparation, meeting logistics and tracking of actions for the Leadership Teams
- Leading on meeting preparations for ONR Board including its strategy session and site visits to support the Head of Corporate Governance
- Supporting the Executive PA to the Chair to manage their increasing activities
- Leading on the logistics for Non-Executive Director (NED) inductions
- Co-ordination of training for NEDs
Location/Travel:
This post may be undertaken from a base at any one of ONR’s office locations (Bootle, Cheltenham, or London).
ONR operates hybrid working (working in the office and or at home) as part of our flexible working policy. There is an expectation that everyone will spend time in the office on a regular basis, recognising that some work is better done face to face. Managers will work with their teams on what works best to meet individual, team, business and organisational needs to enable collaboration, as well as balancing personal choice and wellbeing.
Security Clearance:
SC is required for this role
Person Specification:
ONR is committed to being an inclusive employer and we welcome and encourage applications from all applicants. We will make reasonable adjustments and adaptations to ensure the recruitment process is inclusive and barrier-free. For example, providing job descriptions in alternative formats, and providing communication support and accessible venues
Skills/Job related expertise:
- Leading and communicating - good interpersonal and communication skills
- Delivering at pace - plan, organise and prioritise work effectively with a strong ability to multi-task
- Collaborating and partnering - ability to work flexibly as part of a small team
- Changing and improving - ability to come up with new ideas or ways of doing something
- Strong IT skills
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- St. James House, St. James Square, Cheltenham, GL50 3PR
- 157-197 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9SP
- Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 7HS
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
DERBY BUSINESS COLLEGE LIMITED
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
- In addition to gaining practical experience in the role, you will also attain an NVQ Level 3 Business Administration qualification which will help start your career and give you an insight into the businesses processes and procedures
- Our training is all completed remotely via teams with a development coach who will be available for support and will arrange weekly/fortnightly meetings with you
- You receive 20% off-the-job training during this apprenticeship which is included in your weekly working hours
More training information
- DBC Training are a multi award-winning employment and skills training provider
- We offer high-quality employer solutions to improve productivity and learner solutions to support individuals to fulfil their potential
- https://dbc-training.co.uk/
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
- Team working
- Initiative
- Collaboration skills
- Delivering at pace
- Coming up with new ideas
- Leadership skills
- Interpersonal skills
About this employer
We are the United Kingdom’s independent statutory regulator for nuclear safety, civil nuclear security, safeguards and conventional health and safety on licensed sites. Through our independent decision making and oversight, we provide confidence that nuclear activities across Great Britain meet the standards expected by Parliament and the public, ensuring people and the environment are protected.
Our responsibilities span the full lifecycle of nuclear operations from the existing reactor fleet and fuel cycle facilities, through waste management and decommissioning, to defence and other licensed and authorised sites.
We also regulate the safe transport of civil nuclear and radioactive materials, oversee the protection of sensitive nuclear information and account for civil nuclear materials in line with the UK’s international safeguards obligations. As new reactor designs, small modular reactors (SMRs), and advanced nuclear technologies (ANTs) emerge, we play an essential role in enabling innovation to progress safely and securely.
https://www.onr.org.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- 25 days annual leave excluding 8 Bank Holidays
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A civil service pension
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
This role is an 18-month fixed term contract for the duration of the apprenticeship. Opportunities may be available once you complete the apprenticeship, but this is not guaranteed.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
DERBY BUSINESS COLLEGE LIMITED
Heather Duffield
heather@dbc-training.co.uk
07375919487
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000048768.
Apply now
Closes in 27 days (Tuesday 15 September 2026 at 11:59pm)