Apprentice Administrator

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

Apprentice Administrator (level 3)

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.

The role will involve working as part of a team and will involve developing, implementing, maintaining and improving administrative services.

Business administrators develop key skills and behaviours to support their own progression towards management responsibilities.

The responsibilities of the role are to support and engage with different parts of the organisation and interact with internal or external customers.

With a focus on adding value, the role of business administrator contributes to the efficiency of an organisation, through support of functional areas, working across teams and resolving issues as requested. The flexibility and responsiveness required allows the apprentice to develop a wide range of skills.

The business administrator is expected to deliver their responsibilities efficiently and with integrity, showing a positive attitude. The role involves demonstrating strong communication skills (both written and verbal) and adopting a proactive approach to developing skills.

The business administrator is also expected to show initiative, managing priorities and own time, problem-solving skills, decision-making and the potential for people management responsibilities through mentoring or coaching others.

The apprenticeship standard requires management of a project and evidence a process that they have improved, as well as mentoring and coaching responsibilities.

The Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard is assessed at the end of the programme externally by the awarding body, NCFE; to assess and test the candidate’s knowledge, skills and behaviours.

The end point assessment will include:

A range of assessment tools, such as:

• Observation
• Presentation on the project undertaken
• Test of knowledge using scenarios with questions
• Competency-based interview
• Assessment on portfolio of evidence

Delivery of the programme is via planned face-to-face classes and workshop sessions at the Waterfront Centre in Huddersfield, HD1 3LD.

Your employer will provided you with paid time off to study, as part of the apprenticeship programme.

The apprenticeship programme to be undertaken will be dependent upon the successful candidates' qualifications and experience. If you do not meet the criteria, you may be offered the opportunity to complete the Level 2 Administrator Assistant Apprenticeship.

Should you be offered the Level 2 apprenticeship, on successful completion, you may be offered the opportunity to later progress onto the level 3 qualification.

Each course will cover a range of Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours as outlined by the apprenticeship standard. These will be transferable and suitable to an administration role in any sector.

As part of your contract of employment completion of the apprenticeship training programme forms part of your duties as well as helping your personal and professional development; the requirements to complete the programme are as follows:

• Attend and be punctual for all induction session, lessons, work-based training/support sessions
• Complete all required assignments by the required timeline
• Build up your portfolio of evidence on-going
• Access support from your tutor/assessor as and when required

Essential Qualifications

• GCSE in:
  • Maths and English (grade C/4 or above)
• Work Experience in:
  • Experience working in an office or with customers (grade 6/12 months)
• Microsoft in:
  • OFFICE 365 (grade Word, Outlook & Excel)

Desirable Qualifications

• BTEC in:
  • ICT (grade Pass, Merit or Distinction)

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

You will be required to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

There are good transport links by bus to the Cleckheaton site. Please check cost and time it will take to travel.

As part of your contract, you will be required to work at other sites, this will be arranged and agreed ongoing. You will make your own travel arrangements.

The postholder will be linked with a school within the Trust to help develop their understanding of how central administration teams support schools. Wherever possible, this will be a school that is either closest to the postholder’s home address or the easiest for