Contract and Service Delivery Apprentice

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Oxfordshire (OX11 0QX)

Closes in 25 days (Monday 2 February 2026)

Posted on 6 January 2026

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Summary

You will proactively support the Estates remit to deliver flexible, customer-focused and efficient services that support the delivery of STFC’s vision, values and objectives. From organising meetings and supporting teams to streamlining processes, you’ll play a key role in making things happen. 

• Wage:

  £19,514 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Throughout the course of your apprenticeship you will receive annual increments in line with policy

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Thursday 3 September 2026

• Duration:

  2 years

• 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

• Operational Support 
• Assist in scheduling contractual requirements for cleaning, catering, etc 
• Help maintain service records and compliance checklists 
• Participate in site inspections and audits with senior staff 
• Team Collaboration 
• Work alongside service teams to understand daily operations 
• Attend team briefings and contribute to service improvement ideas
• Shadow experienced coordinators to learn best practices  
• Customer Service  
• Respond to basic service queries and escalate issues appropriately 
• Develop knowledge of health & safety, COSHH, and service standards 
• Responsibility for maintaining shared email inboxes and postboxes, including replying in a timely manner, answering queries where necessary

Where you'll work

Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Harwell
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 0QX

Training

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

Training provider

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

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

You will engage in structured professional development and training through a combination of online learning and 10 days of in-person teaching at Abingdon & Witney College, Abingdon scheduled between September and December. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4 or above)
• Maths (grade 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
• Number skills
• Team working

About this employer

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

https://www.ukri.org/councils/stfc/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• 30 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas Shutdown
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Employee Discount 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

Further career and training opportunities.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000005847.

Apply now

Closes in 25 days (Monday 2 February 2026)

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