Apprentice - Governance and Procurement
West Suffolk Council
Suffolk (IP33 3YU)
Closes in 15 days (Thursday 5 November 2026)
Posted on 21 October 2026
Contents
Summary
We are offering an exciting opportunity where you “earn and learn”. This apprenticeship will give you a wide-ranging experience of our Governance and Procurement Service whilst building your knowledge and helping to lead you into a career in local government.
- Wage
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£20,932.81 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Starting salary £10.85 per hour plus excellent employee benefits package, increasing to the national minimum wage for your age in year two.
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
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Monday to Friday, full-time.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Tuesday 1 December 2026
- Duration
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2 years
- 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
To assist in providing effective and efficient administration support to the Governance and Procurement Service.
•arrangements for local and national elections and referenda
•maintenance of the register of electors and absent voters lists including regular contact with members of the public
•arrangements for meetings of Council, Cabinet and Council committees
•assisting in the administration of the Procurement Service
•administration of governance databases and portals
•working with Officers within the Governance and Procurement Team to support various aspects of their work
You will be expected to carry out tasks required on a day-to-day basis. The work you will do will be designed to ensure you meet the evidence and standards required for your qualification.
Where you'll work
West Suffolk House
Western Way
Bury St. Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 3YU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
GINGER NUT MEDIA LIMITED
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
Whilst working, you will complete a Level 3 qualification in Business Administration, for which you will be entitled to paid study time to complete; this is linked to the national apprenticeship scheme. You will have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, learning and develop new skills whilst building your confidence along the way.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE 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
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Team working
- Initiative
Other requirements
Must be eligible for apprenticeship funding.
About this employer
West Suffolk Council is an extremely ambitious and dynamic local authority with a workforce of over 700 employees. We provide healthy, safe and vibrant places to live and work. Few other employers play such a pivotal role in the community. That's a great responsibility but also very rewarding and something that really makes a difference.
Company benefits
Holiday entitlement of 25 days, plus bank holidays
Generous pension scheme - contribute between 5.5% and 6.8% (depending on your salary) and the council will contribute 16.4%
Life assurance
Agile working
Access to a unique employee benefits package
Rail and bus staff discounts
A range of Health and Wellbeing initiatives
Discounted membership at Abbeycroft Leisure centres
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
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
It is not guaranteed that the apprentice will move into a full time post however, other opportunities may be available at the time.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
West Suffolk Council
Martin Golledge
Martin.Golledge@westsuffolk.gov.uk
01284 757105
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000060420.
Apply now
Closes in 15 days (Thursday 5 November 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.