Business Support Apprentice
Essex County Council
Colchester (CO3 3WG)
Closes in 13 days (Thursday 5 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 22 October 2026
Contents
Summary
The role will be extremely rewarding if you have an interest in office administration, enjoy helping people and being part of a busy team in a challenging role and as an entry point, for someone considering a career in Administration, Local Government or Social Care.
- Wage
-
£15,435 a year
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Full time hours- Monday- Friday
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 December 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
You will assist with the delivery of routine administrative tasks, dealing with day-to-day work including (but not limited to):
- Inputting data from source documents into the relevant recording system, checking the accuracy, verifying and correcting data
- Responding to emails
- Telephone calls
- Front facing customer service
- Maintain your own diary and work pattern management
- Photocopying/ scanning
- Sending letters and dealing with incoming post
- Attend meetings with team colleagues and Managers, either in person or by video
- Working from home or in an office space.
- Work alongside other administrative assistants and apprentices who will train you and support you through the day-to-day work
Where you'll work
Rowan House
33 Sheepen Road
Colchester
CO3 3WG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ESSEX COUNTY 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
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade Pass)
- Mathematics (grade Pass)
Level 2 or above 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
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Administrative skills
Other requirements
About You:
You will be:
Educated to RQF level 2 (GCSE) or equivalent by experience.
Highly organised and reliable.
Capable of prioritising a demanding workload and have a “can do” attitude.
Able to take ownership of work and achieve the agreed commitments.
Able to communicate effectively as well as have an ability to build and establish relationships and provide a high-quality service to customers.
Proficient in Microsoft Office/Office 365 applications and willing to learn new systems.
Have a friendly approach and a good phone manner.
Emotionally intelligent.
Good teamwork skills and a commitment to collaboration.
Experienced in a working environment is helpful, but not essential.
Essential Requirements for the role:
You will need to be 16 years of age at the start of the apprenticeship.
You will need to have the right to work and study in England.
You will have been ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for three years before the apprenticeship start date.
You cannot have previously completed a qualification that is Level 2 or above in field that is related to Customer Services or Business Administration.
As apprentices have employed status you must have the right to permanently live, work and study in the UK. Apprenticeships are not covered by student visas.
Please note that we must be provided with your GCSE certificate at the final stage of the recruitment process. If you have international equivalent qualifications a NARIC Statement of Comparability must be provided. If you do not already hold one you can purchase online – you can find more information here Statement of Comparability (enic.org.uk).
About this employer
At Essex County Council, we look after a large, diverse, complex region of the country. But our approach to creating a place where individuals, families and communities can thrive and prosper is simple. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
https://www.essex.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
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- Senior Administrator, Administrator, Operations Management
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000060464.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Thursday 5 November 2026 at 11:59pm)