Business Support Assistant Apprentice

City of London Corporation

London (E14 5ST)

Closes in 5 days (Tuesday 24 February 2026)

Posted on 16 February 2026

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Summary

Billingsgate Market, near Canary Wharf, is the UK’s leading inland fish market, part of the City of London Corporation’s wholesale markets. Internationally known, it trades over 25,000 tonnes of fish yearly from global sources and features diverse merchants, with growing retail activity.

• Wage:

  £27,550 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  City of London Corporation staff can take advantage of the pension scheme. They also receive discounts and special offers for a wide range of products and services.

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: 7am- 2.30pm with 30 minutes unpaid lunch Monday- Friday. Flexibility may be required for business needs

  35 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 20 April 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

Purpose of Post:

• Support administrative, financial and general office tasks at Billingsgate Market
• Assist colleagues with emails, purchase orders, payment processing (cash, cheque, chip & pin), and data entry (Access and car park databases)
• Perform ad hoc duties using MS Office and in-house systems (training provided)
• Comply with internal procedures, City of London Standing Orders, Financial Regulations & Procurement Code
• Deliver high standards of customer service to internal and external customers, promoting equality of opportunity

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide excellent customer service in person, by telephone and email
• Process payments via cash, cheque, or chip & pin (including key-pad entry for phone payments)
• Manage Billingsgate general and car park email inboxes; maintain tenant and contractor parking records and respond to parking enquiries using the Your Parking Space system
• Update financial records, calculate & invoice tenants/non-tenants for services, and support the market's finance function
• Analyse and resolve payment/order issues for tenants and suppliers, using Oracle for orders and receipts; assist with banking as appropriate
• Manage complaints to the General Manager’s office: maintain log, create templates, investigate and respond as necessary
• Contribute to the departmental newsletter and assist with Billingsgate social media accounts, gathering and drafting content as required
• Assist in stock control in line with financial regulations, including the Piranha stock system for maintenance supplies
• Support the annual market stock check with the maintenance team; update Piranha system and create reports for General Manager sign-off
• Take minutes at meetings hosted by staff; document, file and distribute accurate minutes within three days
• Support Administration Team Leader and team with data preparation and information as needed
• Safeguard all sensitive data and information at all times
• Welcome and assist visitors to the office
• Assist with projects and workstreams for the Administration Team Leader, including administration of specific projects
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external colleagues and customers, ensuring high standards of customer care
• Liaise with other City of London departments on administrative matters as required for Billingsgate Administration
• Implement the City of London’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy and promote health and safety for self and others
• Promote and implement the City of London’s Equal Opportunity Policy and objectives
• Undertake any other reasonable duties appropriate to the grade as requested

 

Where you'll work

Billingsgate Market, Trafalgar Way
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5ST

Training

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

Training provider

COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONDON

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 be supported to achieve the Business Administration Level 3 apprenticeship. Theoretical training will be Biweekly with the support of the training provider. Practical training and support will be given in the workplace allowing you to embed your learning in the working environment. You will receive hours 6 per week to support with your apprenticeship studies. 

More training information

The apprenticeship training will be delivered by the City of London corporation in house training provider Common Council of the City of London.

The apprenticeship training will be delivered via face-to-face training session at the Guildhall London EC2V 7HH on a fortnightly basis.

 

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
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Non judgemental
• Patience

About this employer

The City Corporation with a rich history that precedes parliament, the City Corporation has been an ever constant throughout history adapting in order to meet modern demands of the City it serves, and is home to some of the world’s most striking modern architecture. The City of London Corporation forms part of London as a whole, along with the 32 London Boroughs who have responsibility for local government services within their local area. Based at the Guildhall the City Corporation looks after and promotes the City of London.

https://www.cityoflondon.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

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, we aim to offer a permanent role within the team if a position is available. Alternatively, we shall endeavour to secure an alternative position within the City of London Corporation. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONDON

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000015680.

Apply now

Closes in 5 days (Tuesday 24 February 2026)

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