Business Administration Apprentice

Join the Learning Services Business Support Team as a Business Admin Apprentice and gain practical workplace experience while working towards a recognised qualification. You'll develop valuable administrative and customer service skills, support learners and colleagues, and build a rewarding career in a supportive professional environment.

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

About the Role

As a Business Administration Apprentice within the Learning Services Business Support Team, you will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of administrative, organisational and customer service skills while working towards a nationally recognised qualification. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is motivated to learn and gain experience in a professional office environment.

The Learning Services Business Support Team plays a key role in supporting the delivery of Adult and Young Adult Learning programmes. As a Business Administration Apprentice, you will be an important part of the team, helping to ensure that administrative processes run smoothly and that learners, colleagues and stakeholders receive a high-quality service.

A typical day may involve:

• Responding to emails.
• Answering telephone enquiries.
• Maintaining accurate records.
• Supporting the administration of training courses and learning programmes.
• Assisting with booking learners onto courses.
• Preparing training materials.
• Updating databases and spreadsheets.
• Processing documentation, and supporting the organisation of meetings and events.

You will gain experience using a range of IT systems and Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and Teams. You will also learn how to use PICS, the Management Information System (MIS), to maintain learner records, process learning-related information and support accurate record keeping. You will learn how to manage information securely, prioritise workloads, communicate effectively with a variety of people and work collaboratively as part of a team.

Training and Development

Throughout your apprenticeship, you will receive support. This role provides an excellent foundation for a future career in business administration, customer service or other professional support roles, enabling you to gain practical experience, develop transferable skills and build your confidence in the workplace while earning and learning.

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

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.