Business Administrator Apprentice
BURFORD TOWN COUNCIL
BURFORD (OX18 4QU)
Closes in 26 days (Wednesday 8 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 11 June 2026
Contents
Summary
We are looking for a Business Administrator Apprentice to support the smooth running of Burford Town Council. The apprentice will work closely with the Town Clerk and learn how local government operates, develop professional office skills, and contribute to community services while progressing through structured training.
- Wage
-
£12,514 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Review of performance of apprenticeship will be made at the end of the first year for review of annual salary for the remaining part of the apprenticeship.
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
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Four working days a week, 9.00am - 5.00pm.
Must include Mon, Wed and Friday (This includes time for college).
30 hours a week
- Start date
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Saturday 1 August 2026
- Duration
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1 year 6 months
- Positions available
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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 apprentice will support Burford Town Council by assisting with administration, record‑keeping, and public enquiries. They will help administer projects, support the Council’s communication with the public through the website and social media, support the running of community events and provide frontline support to residents. They will work closely with the Town Clerk and learn how local government operates, develop professional office skills, and contribute to community services while progressing through structured training.
Responsibilities include:
- Communications: assisting in the production of social media content, website updates and newsletters, liaising with other statutory authorities and external parties, and our volunteers
- Office presence: meeting members of the public, facilities users and councillors, signposting and helping with enquiries
- Administrative: preparation of reports and documents for the council and committees, other statutory authorities, and the public
- Community Engagement: helping to support the work of the Clerk with community projects
- Event Management: assisting the organisation with events and meetings
- Facilities Management: working with the Clerk and the Town Maintenance team assisting in the management of buildings, sports grounds, open spaces, community assets
- Filing: assisting in the upkeep of office files and management of office
- Governance: understanding how local councils work and the laws which govern their processes, assisting with preparation of legal papers for meetings
- Health and Safety: assisting in the work of health and safety at Burford Town Council, including reviewing the risk register on a regular basis and highlighting risks to council
- Charities: assisting in the routine administration of the two charities that the Town Council is responsible for
Where you'll work
126 HIGH STREET
BURFORD
OX18 4QU
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
Duration:
15 months practical training period, plus 3 months for End Point Assessment
Delivery model:
- Work-based training with your employer
- 10 days professional training at college
- Regular meetings with your training coordinator to monitor progress and well-being
- Approximately 12 on-site or/and Teams assessment visits per year
- Apprentices will need to complete a minimum of 348 hours of off-the-job training during their apprenticeship
Qualifications included:
Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship
End Point Assessment:
- Knowledge test
- Portfolio based interview
- Project/improvement presentation
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Desirable qualifications
A Level in:
ECDL or equivalent in:
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
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Team working
- Time management skills
- Professional
- Willingness to learn
- Discretion and confidentiality
- Adaptable
Other requirements
We are looking for a friendly person who is comfortable with administrative duties and enjoys engaging with the public as part of their daily role.
The Business Administrator Apprentice will support the Town Clerk in delivering high-quality governance, administration, and comminity services.
You don't need lots of work experience to apply, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
Some skills we are looking for include:
- Some customer service experience (this could be paid work, volunteering, or something you’ve done at school/college)
- Basic administrative experience such as filing, data entry, or helping with enquiries.
- It would be a bonus if you also have experience or knowledge in a public sector, community, or customer‑facing environment, and supporting meetings or taking notes/minutes
- A basic understanding of what local councils do and how they support communities.
- Confidence using IT, including Word, Excel, email, and online forms
- Desirable knowledge includes awareness of key areas like data protection or transparency in local government and an interest in community engagement and how councils communicate with residents
- It’s also helpful if you can draft simple reports, letters, or emails and use social media confidently and professionally
Personal Qualities:
- Professional, reliable, and punctual
- Keen to learn and motivated to complete your apprenticeship training
- Able to handle confidential or sensitive information appropriately
- Friendly, community‑minded, and committed to providing great service
- Flexible and comfortable working on a variety of tasks
Other Requirements:
- Willingness to attend occasional evening meetings
- Right to work in the UK
- Openness to completing further training, such as the ILCA qualification, if you choose to progress in the sector
About this employer
Burford Town Council has eleven councillors who are elected by the residents of Burford to represent them. Members are responsible for making the decisions that will deliver a wide range of objectives to the town.
Burford Town Council operates within a Code of Conduct and has also signed up to the
Civility & Respect pledge, believing that these should be at the heart of public life and that good governance is fundamental to ensuring an effective and well-functioning democracy.
Burford Town Council is funded primarily by taxpayers’ money and therefore has a huge responsibility to manage and spend those funds appropriately and with diligence.
What does the Town Clerk do?
The Clerk has a statutory duty to carry out all the functions of the Council, and to issue all the governance required by law; in Burford the Clerk is also the Responsible Financial Officer and manages all financial records and the careful administration of BTC’s finances.
The Clerk is responsible for ensuring that the decisions made by the Council are carried out. They must also advise BTC on its legal duties and limitations and produce the information required for making effective decisions and implementing those decisions. They are accountable to the Council for the effective management of its resources and reports to them as and when required.
After this apprenticeship
With 9000 town and parish councils across England and Wales, an experienced and qualified Town Clerk has a wide career opportunity in front of them. From a part time role in a small parish as the only employee, to a full-time role managing 50 staff and a £2M annual budget, the role of the Clerk has community at its heart.
Professional opportunities:
- There are a number of sector specific professional qualifications:
- Level 2 Intro to Local Council Administration (ILCA)
- Could be undertaken as part of the apprenticeship programme
- Financial Intro to Local Council Administration (FiLCA)
- Could be undertaken as part of the apprenticeship programme
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
The Apprenticeship Team
Apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
01235 216 216
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000035870.
Apply now
Closes in 26 days (Wednesday 8 July 2026 at 11:59pm)