Business Administrator Level 3 Apprentice

Northumberland Estates / Alnwick Castle

Newcastle Upon Tyne (NE1 3DX)

Closes in 8 days (Friday 17 October 2025)

Posted on 3 October 2025


Summary

Joining Northumberland Estates as a Business Administration Apprentice provides a unique opportunity to develop your skills within a dynamic, purpose-driven organisation. You will gain hands-on experience across diverse departments - from property and land management to heritage and sustainability - while working within a supportive team environment.

Wage

£14,722.50 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
This is a full-time role within the Northumberland Estates Commercial Team. Working hours are Monday to Friday, between 9:00am to 5:00pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 27 October 2025

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

Reception Duties:

  • Greet visitors and clients professionally and courteously
  • Maintain a tidy and organised reception area
  • Answer and direct incoming calls, take messages, and handle enquiries
  • Manage incoming and outgoing mail and deliveries

Administrative Support:

  • Provide administrative support to the commercial team and wider office, including paper and electronic filing, data entry, and document management
  • Support the commercial team with basic tasks such as invoice processing
  • Maintain accurate records and update internal systems
  • Monitor and maintain office supplies inventory, placing orders as needed
  • Assist with travel arrangements and expense reporting

Meeting & Office Coordination:

  • Assist with scheduling meetings and taking minutes
  • Prepare meeting rooms in advance of scheduled meetings and perform post-meeting resets

Where you'll work

Quayside House
110 Quayside
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 3DX

Training

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

Training provider

NCG

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

4 days per week at Northumberland Estates. 

1 day per week at Newcastle College. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

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
  • Logical
  • Team working

About this employer

Northumberland Estates operates in property development, farming, forestry, renewable energy, and tourism. As a major regional landowner and employer, the estate plays a vital role in supporting local communities and the rural economy. Northumberland Estates is distinguished by its long-term, responsible approach to land and asset management. The company strategically invests in commercial and residential property, particularly in the North East of England, while expanding its portfolio internationally. It champions sustainable development, balancing economic growth with environmental protection and community wellbeing.

After this apprenticeship

Joining Northumberland Estates offers a valuable opportunity to develop your career within a respected and forward-thinking organisation. Successful candidates may progress into more senior commercial or administrative roles or explore other departments within the estate. The company encourages ongoing professional development, providing mentoring and training to support career growth. This role is an excellent stepping stone for those looking to build a long-term career in land management, commercial operations, or related fields.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

NCG

Ellisha Hay

apprenticeships@ncl-coll.ac.uk

01912004849

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000345103.

Apply now

Closes in 8 days (Friday 17 October 2025)

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