Communities Apprentice – Business Administration (Data Analysis)

West Sussex County Council

West Sussex (PO19 1RQ)

Closes in 13 days (Monday 1 December 2025)

Posted on 17 November 2025

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Summary

In this role, you will collaborate closely with colleagues to deliver a customer-focused service that makes a real difference. You will be a valued part of the dynamic Refugee, Resettlement and Migration service (RRMS), providing routine administration support within and across the service.

• Wage:

  £24,796 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  This is role with West Sussex County Council, offers a competitive salary alongside full training. You’ll also receive paid holidays and access to employee benefits while gaining valuable work experience and a recognised qualification.

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: Monday - Friday, hours tbc.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Thursday 1 January 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 4 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

Our work in the Communities Directorate on any given day can often feel quite different from the next! There will be some key responsibilities likely to feature in this role, including:

• Completing all learning commitments in support of the apprenticeship programme.
• Supporting the ongoing enhancement of processes, procedures, and service delivery across the diverse teams within RRMS.
• Collaborating effectively within teams, offering thoughtful challenges, reflecting on experiences, providing constructive feedback, and respecting diverse perspectives.
• Communicating with internal and external stakeholders regularly.
• Supporting operational and project meetings.
• Undertake a variety of tasks efficiently and effectively across all teams within the service. This includes collecting and organizing data and management information, recording and updating records, maintaining electronic filing systems, and using programs like MS Word, Excel, and SharePoint.

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified, and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you!

Required qualifications and skills:

• Five GCSE passes at Grade C (4-9) or above (including English and maths) or equivalent vocational qualification or the willingness to complete Functional Skills qualifications in English and maths as part of the apprenticeship.
• Previous experience in following instructions to successfully complete a task, such as completing an assignment within the specified timeframe.
• Literacy and numeracy skills to interpret diverse written instructions describing tasks or conveying complex messages.
• Able to meet deadlines and utilise initiative to complete a variety of tasks or activities.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills to effectively exchange information with a range of audiences.
• Proficient IT skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software and databases, as well as experience with photocopying, scanning, and internet research.

Where you'll work

County Hall
West Street
Chichester
West Sussex
PO19 1RQ

Training

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

Training provider

CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP

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

• As part of the apprenticeship, you’ll receive structured training through the Chichester College Group, a trusted local provider.
• Training will take place regularly, typically through day release or scheduled sessions - allowing you to balance on-the-job learning with classroom-based study.

More training information

• You will undertake and complete the various elements of the Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship, including Functional Skills, and Employment Responsibilities & Rights.
• This will involve attending online college workshops regularly, working with an assessor to develop a work-based portfolio, undertaking work-based assessments, completing all assignments/projects relating to the apprenticeship framework and presenting evidence portfolios for assessment within specified timeframes.
• The apprenticeship will be undertaken over a 16-month period.
• The apprenticeship course will be delivered by Chichester College, where we have a number of apprentices within the Council already studying the same course.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

x 5 (ideally inc. English and maths) (grade C/4 or above)

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
• Administrative skills
• Team working
• Initiative

Other requirements

Some experience of providing a service to others and working with others to deliver a goal is desirable, either in a job or an extracurricular activity (e.g. Duke of Edinburgh).

About this employer

West Sussex County Council (WSCC) is a diverse organisation that provides services to more than 850,000 residents every day. Our teams use their experience to enable and challenge the Council to deliver improved efficiency and effectiveness.

http://www.westsussex.gov.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

In addition to working within a great team and a brilliant opportunity to start your career in the WSCC Communities Directorate, you will receive: a competitive salary, 25 days annual leave + bank holidays and a generous pension scheme.

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

• Although there are no guarantees, completion of this apprenticeship would place the successful applicant in a strong position in any suitable recruitment that may take place at the end of the programme.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000001000.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Monday 1 December 2025)

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