Apprentice Planning & Administration Officer

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Oldbury (B69 3ES)

Closes in 12 days (Monday 27 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 13 July 2026

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Summary

Pursuing a Business Administration qualification within the Commercial Service Team, based at our Operational & Development Centre in Oldbury, presents an excellent opportunity to develop a high-quality customer service. If you have a genuine interest in supporting others, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Wage

£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8.00am and 6.30pm with a minimum of 3 working days from the office.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 28 September 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

  • Respond to staff enquiries from our Trades personnel, over the phone in person or via email, in a timely manner
  • Utilise effective diary management skills to co-ordinate and schedule post work inspections for trades colleagues
  • Record accurate financial details on our IT systems to maintain customer/stakeholder/ contractor information and produce reports and raise purchase requisitions
  • Conduct a comprehensive data cleanse to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability across all reporting systems, including accurate entry of financial data
  • Remain calm and professional whilst displaying an empathetic attitude as you are dealing with a diverse range of customers
  • Work with team members to improve service delivery and customer satisfaction
  • Effectively communicate with departments and colleagues, from all sources either by phone, email, or via request
  • Be accountable for the quality of your work and take responsibility for maintaining and improving your knowledge and skills
  • To comply with policies of Sandwell MBC including: Safeguarding, Health & Safety, Data Protection and Equality and Diversity

Where you'll work

Operations & Development Centre
Direct 2 Industrial Park
Roway Lane
Oldbury
B69 3ES

Training

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

Training provider

ACCESS TRAINING (EAST MIDLANDS) LTD

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

  • The apprenticeship training will be delivered in the workplace, as you will receive visits from a college assessor
  • The apprenticeship will also include a proportion of 20% Off The Job Training and a robust programme of Mandatory Apprentice Training provided by Sandwell Council to include Fire Awareness, Prevent, Safeguarding, Data Protection & Cyber Security and Equality & Diversity

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

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

Functional Skills in:

  • English (grade Level 2)
  • Maths (grade Level 2)

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
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness
  • Empathy & understanding
  • Punctual & reliable
  • Approachable & helpful
  • Partnership working
  • Data Protection Act

Other requirements

  • Proof of qualification certificates will be required during the recruitment process
  • Please be aware that you will come into contact with sensitive information, of which data security must be maintained
  • You will need to be flexible and be very confident in talking to people at all levels
  • You must be prepared to adhere with Council Policies including the Data Protection Act
  • We reserve the right to close vacancies prior to their advertised date, if we receive a large number of applications
  • Therefore, you are strongly advised to complete and return your application as soon as possible

About this employer

Sandwell is a large, multicultural metropolitan borough situated in the heart of the Black Country, to the west of Birmingham, within the West Midlands conurbation and with a population of over 280,000. The Council is one of the largest employers in the Borough with employees in a variety of occupations, providing a comprehensive range of services. For more information about Sandwell Council’s apprenticeship programme and our recruitment process please visit our YouTube channel. Find out more information on Sandwell’s Values and Behaviours on the council’s webpage. For more information on careers in local government you can view a copy of the Local Government Career Guide.

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

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

  • This apprenticeship is a fixed term 18 month contract and at the end you will gain a Level 3 Business Administrator Qualification
  • However, the skills, knowledge and experience gained in this apprenticeship will allow you to gain future opportunities in the sector

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ACCESS TRAINING (EAST MIDLANDS) LTD

elle_walker@sandwell.gov.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000042090.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Monday 27 July 2026 at 11:59pm)