Business Administrator Apprentice (Business Unit)

Cheshire West and Chester Council

Ellesmere Port (CH65 0BA)

Closes in 16 days (Saturday 20 June 2026)

Posted on 2 June 2026

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Summary

Be part of an outstanding council apprenticeship programme with a nationally recognised, Top 100 Apprentice Employer and Regionally awarded Apprentice Employer of the Year. Join us on a permanent contract, gain real experience and a recognised qualification, and progress your career within the council. 

• Wage:

  £24,796 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Starting salary of £24,796 rising to £25,185 during the apprenticeship, with further progression upon appointment to the substantive officer role in line with the Council’s pay structure

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: The apprentice will work within standard Council working hours, with the exact working pattern to be agreed at interview. Some flexibility may be required depending on service needs.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 13 July 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

The Business Administrator Apprentice is a key role within the Council’s Business Unit service, part of the Place & Growth Directorate. This role offers the opportunity to gain valuable experience within a busy team. You will be supported by a line manager, workplace mentor, Inclusive Employment Manager, and an Apprentice Programme Tutor.

On successful completion, the post holder will progress to the role of Customer Support Officer. The post holder may also be required to undertake additional duties appropriate to the role.

This is a hybrid role, working from a Council office and across the borough, with occasional home working where appropriate.

With appropriate support and supervision, the Apprentice will:

• Support contract management officers with complaints, enquiries and service requests, ensuring they are handled efficiently and in line with procedures.
• Maintain and update service systems, ensuring accurate records across collections, routes, assets, and service data.
• Provide advice and guidance to residents and stakeholders on waste, recycling, and Place services.
• Liaise with service teams and customer contact centre to resolve queries, missed collections, and service issues.
• Support monitoring of contractor and service performance, identifying areas for improvement.
• Collate and analyse service and performance data to support reporting and decision making.
• Support ordering and purchasing processes, maintaining accurate financial and stock records.
• Assist at events, presentations and engagement activities where required.
• Support initiatives to improve service delivery and resolve collection issues.
• Ensure compliance with Waste Management and Health & Safety legislation and support safe working practices.

Where you'll work

The Portal
Wellington Road
Ellesmere Port
CH65 0BA

Training

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

Training provider

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

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

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying on employer sites or via Microsoft Teams. Delivery is to be discussed with the training provider and the hiring manager must suit operational needs.

More training information

Training will be delivered through a blend of workplace learning and formal off‑the‑job training.

Most training will take place at the apprentice’s normal place of work, with additional learning delivered by the training provider through college attendance, online learning, workshops, or Microsoft Teams.

Training will take place on a regular basis throughout the apprenticeship, with protected time during working hours to attend training sessions, complete learning activities, and prepare for assessments.

The exact schedule will be agreed between the apprentice, line manager, and training provider as part of the individual training plan.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 9-4 C-A*)
• Maths (grade 9-4 C-A*)

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
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

About this employer

Our work spans over 3,900 colleagues across hundreds of roles, professions and services, making us one of the most diverse and complex employers in the region. We are responsible for delivering a wide range of essential public services and strategic priorities that shape the places, communities and lives of our residents every single day.

From frontline delivery to professional, technical and corporate roles, our organisation brings together expertise from across disciplines to respond to the evolving needs of our borough — supporting people, strengthening communities and driving long-term change at scale.

https://www.cwcrecruitment.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Permanent apprenticeships from day one. We work closely and positively with our recognised trade unions (Unison, GMB and Unite) to make sure that the views of our colleagues are heard.

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, the post
holder will progress to the substantive post of Customer
Support Officer.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000034437.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Saturday 20 June 2026)

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