Business Support Apprentice

Derby City Council

Derbyshire (DE1 2FS)

Closes in 9 days (Sunday 1 November 2026)

Posted on 22 October 2026

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Summary

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to gain a Business Administration Apprenticeship Level 3 award whilst working as a Business Support Apprentice within the Document Management Centre.

• Wage:

  £17,710.90 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  • Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) – a secure, defined benefit pension with life cover

  • Team Derby Rewards – discounts across a wide range of retail, leisure and lifestyle brands

  • Tusker Car Benefit Scheme – a salary sacrifice scheme for leasing a brand-new, fully maintained and insured vehicle

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, times to be confirmed.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 16 November 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

Business Support is Derby City Council’s centralised administrative service and provides a wide range of services across the different departments within the council.

The role is predominantly based within the Document Management Centre (DMC), which provides reprographics, mail and scanning services and will provide a wealth of experience.

Main responsibilities include:

• To carry out a range of general administrative tasks as detailed in the current Business Support Menu within divisional and statutory timescales and standards to produce the required outcomes as requested.  
• To produce high quality work following corporate, departmental and procedural guidelines. 
• To deal with incoming calls, post, electronic mail and visitors to ensure that their requests are dealt with appropriately.
• Able to take down and record accurate messages and pass to the appropriate member of staff adhering at all times to the council’s customer care policy. 
• Provide all customers with a good customer service to ensure positive representation of the service. 
• Undertake training and additional duties in accordance with the general level of responsibility of the post, as required. 
• Carry out any other reasonable duties, commensurate with the grading and responsibilities of the post.
• Understand and comply with the city council’s environmental policies. 
• Comply with all health & safety policies and legislation in performance of the duties of the post. 
• Work with information technology and associated systems in accordance with the city council’s policies & procedures. 
• Comply with standing orders, financial regulations and Departmental instructions. 
• Carry out duties and responsibilities of the post in compliance with the City Council’s Equality and Diversity policy. 

Where you'll work

The Council House
Corporation Street
Derby
Derbyshire
DE1 2FS

Training

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

Training provider

DERBY 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

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade C/4 or above or equivalent)
• Maths (grade C/4 or above or equivalent)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Attention to detail
• Team working
• Friendly
• Approachable
• Willingness to learn
• Professionalism

Other requirements

If we are interested in taking your application further, you will receive an email from a derby college email address (@derby-college.ac.uk).

Please make sure that you check your inbox as well as your spam/junk folders, so you do not miss out on the opportunity to apply.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the specified closing date should we receive sufficient applications. In order to avoid missing an opportunity to apply please submit your application as early as possible.

About this employer

At Derby City Council, we're proud to deliver over 250 essential services that support our residents, communities and businesses. Guided by our vision to create an Inclusive, Green, Growing and Vibrant City, we put people at the heart of everything we do.

Our values shape how we work every day. We believe in Great People, One Team, we're Bold in embracing change, Strong in delivering for our communities, and We Care about making a positive difference.

Join us and you'll be part of an ambitious, collaborative organisation where you can develop your career while helping to shape Derby's future.

https://www.derby.gov.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• Generous annual leave, starting at 27 days and rising to 32 days after five years' service (plus bank holidays, depending on your contract)
• The option to purchase additional annual leave
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements for many roles
• Flexible retirement options, where eligible
• Support for colleagues with caring responsibilities

 

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).

Develop the skills, knowledge and experience required to build a career in business administration and support.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DERBY COLLEGE

Lauren Stapleton

lauren.stapleton@derby-college.ac.uk

01332387420

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000060466.

Apply now

Closes in 9 days (Sunday 1 November 2026)

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