Executive Support Apprentice

We provide an opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion, with access to a dedicated UKRI Early Careers Network.

About the Role

As a Private Office Administration Apprentice, you will:

• Support Deputy Directors of Communication by helping to manage their diaries and scheduling meetings, visits, and events.
• Work with Private Secretaries to help prepare senior leaders for their commitments and understand how to prioritise effectively.
• Arrange domestic and international travel, working with internal and external partners to identify the most efficient options.
• Help maintain the team’s SharePoint site, ensuring documents, processes, and resources are well organised and easy to find.
• Assist with risk management, corporate compliance, and directorate wide activities as needed.
• Contribute to planning and delivery of team events, including directorate Away Days.
• Support colleagues across the Private Office to ensure the team operates smoothly, professionally, and collaboratively.

You’ll gain hands on experience in prioritisation, communication, professional judgement, and coordination — all essential skills for progressing within the Private Office.

What You Will Learn

The apprenticeship is delivered in partnership with New College Swindon over 18–21 months. The first 15–18 months form the ‘practical period’, combining on-and off-the-job training with New College Swindon [https://www.newcollege.ac.uk/?_gl=11suwg3p_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjw6MPRBhBTEiwAd-7Mr65racamFFW8dHelC1X7jQ7Lf0eL6Kt4Wp3AXpOPzuu7-f89r185PBoC09YQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAAD5c1e5iVbhIbUiDSrtlAX8-4Bmz8] and UKRI to develop and apply the required Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours of the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship. [https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0070-v1-0] This includes attendance at a blend of in-person and virtual facilitated workshops throughout the practical period.

In the final 3 months of the apprenticeship, learners will undertake and lead a work-based improvement project, deliver a presentation on the project, complete a Knowledge Test, and take part in a professional discussion underpinned by a work-based portfolio as part of the End Point Assessment.

What We Are Looking For

To apply for this apprenticeship, you will need to demonstrate within your CV that you meet the following criteria. Evidence may be used from current or prior paid employment, voluntary roles or educational experiences.

Where indicated, this detail will be assessed at shortlisting (S), interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential:

• Minimum of two GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent qualifications) (S)
• Good written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated through your application and interview (S&I)
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and manage changing demands (S&I)
• Ability to work proactively as part of a team, using initiative to solve problems and contribute to shared goals (S&I)
• IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word and Teams (S)
• A demonstrable interest in the work of UKRI and the role of communications within the organisation (S&I)

Apprenticeship Core Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to be considered for the apprenticeship programme you must:

• Have evidence of Maths and English GCSE at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent i.e. Level 2 Functional Skills)
• Have lived in the UK and/or EU for 3 consecutive years prior to the apprenticeship start date and have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship, including the end-point assessment. Please check your eligibility here [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-funding-rules-and-assessment-plan-guidance-2026-to-2027].
• Have a valid and eligible residency status, the right to work in the UK, and be able to complete the full apprenticeship programme, including the End-Point Assessment (EPA). Applications from candidates with the listed time-limited visas [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a68cabe229c578debc1a78c/Funding_Rules_2627_Version_3_Final.pdf] will be considered on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with our apprenticeship training provider. Eligibility will be assessed to ensure that visa requirements align with the apprenticeship programme's duration and funding rules.
• Confirm that this apprenticeship offers substantive new skills and knowledge and that you have not already achieved an equivalent or higher-level qualification in a similar or related subject.

As part of our shortlisting process, we may be required to determine your eligibility to undertake the programme based on the information provided within your application. By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider.

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.

We will be in touch after the closing date, however, please reach out on apprenticerecruitment@ukri.org if you have any questions.

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. Committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• Annual salary progression throughout the apprenticeship, in line with UKRI policy.
• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days