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

Training provider

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

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.

More training information

We regularly have training opportunities from our Local Government Bodies - the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC). Both provide training on a range of subjects, including local government legislation, finance, the role of a local council and councillors and on the role of a Town or Parish Clerk. In addition, we attend meetings of the SLCC and NALC for updates on matters affecting the local council sector as they arise. We also have access to in-house Health & Safety training. Looking further ahead, an apprentice could go on to complete the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) which qualifies them as a Clerk.

Essential qualifications

• GCSE in:
  • English (grade Grade 4/C and above)
  • Maths (grade Grade 4/C and above)

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
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience

Other requirements

The job will inevitably involve responding to complaints from members of the public if answering the telephone or manning the office reception. However, this would only ever be with the support of the Town Clerk or Assistant Clerk.

The Town Council works at the very heart of the local community, supporting the democratic process, looking after public assets, and facilitating community events that make the town thrive. Unlike high-level principal authorities (like County or Unitary councils), a Town Council is the tier of local government closest to the people, dealing directly with residents' everyday lives. Working for the Town Council means you are working to directly benefit and enhance the lives of the people who reside in the parish.

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab). Once the Business Administration apprenticeship is complete, the career progression within the sector is to complete CiLCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration) which is the basic qualification needed for most Clerk positions. From there, you can also go on to do BA (Hons) Degree in Community Governance but this is not a requirement of the role.

The contact for this apprenticeship is: CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000043996.

Closes in 26 days (Wednesday 26 August 2026 at 11:59pm)