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Executive Support & Projects Assistant Apprentice
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This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of one of the country’s fastest-growing church school trusts.
As our Executive Support & Projects Assistant Apprentice, you will support the CEO and Executive Team, help coordinate important projects and develop highly transferable skills.
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
As our Executive Support & Projects Assistant Apprentice, you will work closely with the Chief Executive and Executive Team to help ensure that their work is well organised, coordinated and followed through.
You will gain a unique insight into the leadership and management of a large and growing group of primary schools. No two days will be the same. You might be organising diaries and meetings, preparing documents, updating project plans, checking that actions have been completed, producing reports or helping colleagues to keep important Trust information accurate and up to date.
This is more than a traditional administrative role. You will be involved in work that supports the Trust’s strategic priorities and contributes to the education of thousands of children across our schools.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Providing day-to-day administrative and organisational support to the Chief Executive and Executive Team
- Managing the Chief Executive’s diary and helping to coordinate meetings, school visits and other commitments
- Supporting the coordination of Executive Team diaries and forward plans
- Scheduling meetings and appointments and helping to resolve routine diary clashes
- Preparing agendas, meeting papers, presentations and supporting information
- Collating documents and information so that senior colleagues are well prepared for meetings
- Taking notes and recording actions from meetings where required
- Maintaining project plans, action logs and implementation trackers
- Monitoring deadlines and project milestones and following up agreed actions
- Helping to maintain the Trust’s Delivery & Impact Framework, which tracks progress against its key priorities
- Gathering updates from colleagues and producing progress reports, summaries and RAG-rated information
- Supporting the use of Trust information systems and databases
- Checking that reports, records and data are complete, accurate and up to date
- Producing routine reports and dashboards for the Executive Team
- Drafting routine correspondence and communications
- Maintaining electronic filing systems, document libraries and standard templates
- Helping to organise Executive Team meetings, Trust conferences and other events
- Responding to routine enquiries and directing them to the appropriate colleague
- Carrying out research and gathering information to support Trust projects and decision-making
- Handling confidential and sensitive information professionally
- Working positively with colleagues across the Trust and its schools
You will receive support and guidance throughout the apprenticeship and will have dedicated time to complete your training.
The full job description explains that the post combines executive support, project coordination, action tracking, information management and communication.
Where you'll work
The Heath Business & Technical Park
Runcorn
WA7 4QX
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
TRAIN TOGETHER LIMITED
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.
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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
Apprenticeships include dedicated time away from day-to-day duties for specialist training and development.
Training provider: Train Together Ltd
Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
What you’ll learn:
The 15-month programme will help you develop the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours needed to work effectively in a wide range of business and administrative roles.
Your training will cover areas including:
- The business environment and how organisations operate
- Professional development and managing your own performance
- Effective written and verbal communication
- Business principles and administrative processes
- Legislation, regulation and confidentiality
- Project management
- Information and communication technology
- Change management
- Document production and records management
- Quality and process improvement
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Training is delivered through a combination of live online sessions, face-to-face learning and online content. You will also have regular support from the training provider and colleagues within the Trust. During the final stage of the apprenticeship, you will prepare for an end-point assessment consisting of a multiple-choice test, a presentation and a professional discussion.
Your contracted hours include dedicated time to complete apprenticeship learning, training activities and assessment preparation.
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade C/4)
- Maths (grade C/4)
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
- Organisation skills
- Administrative skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Discretion
- Ability to manage competing priorities
- Professionalism
Other requirements
The successful applicant will be required to maintain confidentiality and comply with the Trust’s safeguarding, equality, health and safety and data protection requirements
Chester Diocesan Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
The successful candidate will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, which will include an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check
CDAT is a multi academy trust established to support primary schools. There are presently 33 schools within the trust. The services provided to schools include legal, human resources, estates, health and safety, and data protection. We also have a school improvement team and a finance team.
https://www.cdat.co.uk/main/home (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Dedicated apprenticeship training and study time
- Support from experienced colleagues and senior leaders
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Access to employee wellbeing support
- Opportunities for professional development
- Free on-site parking
- Experience of working within a large and growing organisation
- Potential opportunity to progress into a permanent role
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.
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
We hope that successful completion of the apprenticeship will lead to a permanent role within Chester Diocesan Academies Trust, subject to organisational requirements and the availability of a suitable vacancy.
The knowledge and experience gained could support progression into roles such as:
- Executive Assistant
- Business Support Officer
- Project Support Officer
- Administration Officer
- Operations Coordinator
- Office Manager
- Governance or education administration roles
You may also choose to progress to a higher-level apprenticeship or further study in business, management, leadership or project management.
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CHESTER DIOCESE ACADEMIES TRUST
Neil Dixon
neil.dixon@cdat.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000044953.
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