Planning Administrative Apprentice - Business Administration Level 3

Mole Valley District Council

Dorking Surrey (RH12 5YE)

Closes in 12 days (Monday 27 July 2026)

Posted on 14 July 2026

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Summary

The Planning Administrative Apprentice role is an excellent opportunity to learn about planning and local government. With a wide range of responsibilities, providing high quality customer service to residents and administrative support to colleagues including planning officers, planning enforcement, tree and ecology specialists.

• Wage:

  £24,521 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Annual salary increase from 1 April 2027.

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: Monday to Friday - 37 hours per week. At least 6 hours of this time will be spent on study.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 1 September 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 9 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

• To manage queries and information from internal and external customers efficiently and effectively via email, telephone, social media and face-to-face.
• To undertake general administrative duties across the department including incoming and outgoing post, monitoring of email inboxes, uploading, redaction and categorisation of letters of representation and responses from consultees.
• To support the process of the receipt of planning applications through numbering applications, processing fees and setting up electronic planning application files including redacting and categorising documentation for internal and external users.
• To support the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Officer carrying out day-to-day organisational and administrative tasks.
• To manage own time effectively using a range of skills and techniques (diary management, timetabling, priority setting etc.).
• To communicate effectively with members of the team and colleagues in the Development Management Team, listening actively to instructions and asking questions where necessary.
• To ensure confidentiality is a priority in all work activities.
• To provide high levels of customer service at all times, taking time to listen actively to customers and explain clearly the reasons for any action taken.

Where you'll work

Mole Valley District Council
Pippbrook
Dorking Surrey
RH12 5YE

Training

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

Training provider

WAVERLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL

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 apprentice will be supported through their training and, upon completion, will have a good understanding of local government and administration. Previous Planning Administrative Apprentices have progressed to careers within local government either at Mole Valley or at other authorities.

The position is full-time with one day a week (minimum of 6 hours)  provided for study towards the Business Administration Level 3 qualification with our onsite provider, Waverley Training Services (WTS).  

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4-9)
• Maths (grade 4-9)

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
• Customer care skills
• An interest in Planning

Other requirements

A keen interest in administrative work (previous experience is not required). 

About this employer

At Mole Valley District Council, we are focussed on delivering high quality, value for money services, both in-house and through partnerships for Mole Valley’s residents and businesses. We are one of 11 councils in Surrey and work closely with Surrey County Council. You can read more about our key projects and our teams to give you a sense of how we work and what we work on.

https://jobs.molevalley.gov.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• Free onsite parking 
• 24 days leave 
• Annual flu vaccinations
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Cycle to work 
• Free eye test
• Pension

After this apprenticeship

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

Previous Planning Administrative Apprentices have progressed to careers within local government either at Mole Valley or at other authorities. Planning Assistant/ Planning Officer.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Mole Valley District Council

Jon Keepen (Planning Support Manager)

jonathan.keepen@molevalley.gov.uk

01306 879380

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000042507.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Monday 27 July 2026)

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