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Business Administrator Apprenticeship

A business administrator has a highly transferable set of knowledge, skills and behaviours that can be applied in all sectors. This includes small and large businesses alike; from the public sector, private sector and charitable sector. The role may involve working independently or 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.

Course Info

How to Apply

Employers Info

Role Profile

What are the responsibilities of a Business Administrator?

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.

Typical job roles this standard can apply to within the Business sector:

administrator / business support officer
office junior
receptionist
junior legal secretary
junior medical secretary
medical receptionist

As well as ensuring full competency on completion as a Business Administrator, this standard provides the foundation for progression into a number of career paths in the Business and Management sector including:

administration officer / executive
administration team leader / office supervisor
personal assistant
secretary
legal secretary
medical secretary

Requirements in the workplace

Students are required to be employed in a suitable work placement providing administrative tasks in a supervisory or senior role.
Skilled and knowledgeable staff in placement
Modern equipment and tools/machines to follow current practices in industry.

Skilled and knowledgeable staff must be available to support the apprentice as they complete work based tasks. A training plan will be required, detailing how the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the standard will be delivered. 20% of the apprentices working hours will be spent in “off the job learning.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours

What knowledge and skills are covered?

The Business Administrator apprenticeship will consist of:

Skills – what is required (advancing key skills to support progression to management):

IT
Record and document production
Decision making
Interpersonal skills
Communication
Quality
Planning and organisation
Project management

Knowledge – what is required (in-depth knowledge of organisation and wider business environment):

The organisation
Value of their skills
Stakeholders
Relevant regulations
Policies
Business fundamentals
Processes
External environmental factors

Behaviours – what is required (role-model behaviours and positive contribution to culture):

Professionalism
Personal qualities
Managing performance
Adaptability
Responsibility

Entry Requirements

What are the entry requirements?

Candidates should be working in an administrative role for a minimum of 30 hours per week, committed to study and be responsible for their own learning. Students must be employed in a suitable work placement leading up to eventually providing administrative tasks in a supervisory or senior role. Individual employers will set the selection criteria, but this is likely to be 5 GCSE’s which will include English and Maths or other relevant qualifications eg ICT.

What Can I Do Next?

What can I do next?

On successful completion there are several progression routes for apprentices based on their specific job role:

Associate Project Manager Level 4
Team Leader/Supervisor Level
HR Support Level 3
Operations/Departmental Manager Level 5

Assessment

This is a practical course where students are expected to provide evidence through workplace activities and guided assignment work. Regular progress reviews throughout the programme which will also include your employer.

The end point assessment will consist of 3 parts:

Part 1: a 1 hour online multiple-choice exam, testing knowledge gained throughout apprenticeship programme

Part 2: a review of the portfolio of evidence. This will be used to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills and behaviours defined within the standard. Evidence for this element will be gathered from the workplace during the on-programme learning. As an apprentice you will be required to reflect on the portfolio of evidence through a 45 min professional discussion. This is carried out remotely

Part 3 a 10 – 15 min presentation delivered to the awarding body assessor detailing the management of a project, delivered by the apprentices, on behalf of the company.

College Attendance

This apprenticeship has two delivery options:

Option 1) apprentices will attend college once every 4 weeks for bespoke delivery sessions with resources and materials available via our online e-portfolio system. Apprentices will also receive dedicated 1-1 tutor support to include workplace visits and observations throughout the duration of the programme.

Option 2) there is no college attendance for this option. Apprentices receive resources and materials via our online e-portfolio system with dedicated 1-1 tutor support to include workplace visits and observations throughout the duration of the programme.

Looking for a new career, job or maybe a qualification to take your current role to the next level?

Previously apprenticeships were primarily aimed towards 16-18 year olds but government reforms introduced in March 2017 mean that there is no longer an upper age limit for commencing an apprenticeship, even if you already possess a degree or higher level qualification (all applicants must be eligible for funding).

To apply for an apprenticeship please read through the information below and then select the correct application button from the menu located further down the page.

Aged between 15 and 18

The application window for joint applications for full-time courses and apprenticeships starting in September 2023 opened on Monday 3rd October at 12pm.

In order to study an apprenticeship you must have an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice and have an offer of employment in place by September, ready for enrolment.

The information below applies to those:

currently in year 11 and looking to study on an apprenticeship upon finishing school
currently in year 11 and looking to make a joint full-time and apprenticeship application, so that both options are available to be pursued upon finishing school (although you can apply for both options you will eventually need to choose between a full-time programme or apprenticeship, you cannot do both at the same time)
currently in year 12* on a full-time course and looking to find an apprenticeship to start after the end of the summer term

If you are interested in an Apprenticeship but do not yet have a contract of employment from an employer, we strongly advise you to apply for a full-time programme as well so you have a back-up. We will process both your full-time application and apprenticeship application until you inform us that you have secured an employer and have an Apprenticeship contract in place, at which point your apprenticeship application will take priority.

If you do have an employer with an Apprenticeship contract of employment in place, we still strongly advise that you apply for a full-time programme as well so you that you have a back-up in case this falls through.

Once you have read the above please click the button ’15 – 18 Years – Apply Online’ in the menu underneath this section and you will be taken to the next stage of the application process.

*If you are currently in year 12 and 13, but looking to find an apprenticeship and switch mid-year then please contact our Apprenticeship Admissions Team where they will advise you on suitable vacancies.

Aged 19+

In order to study an apprenticeship you must have an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice and with an offer of employment in place.

Please read through the information below and follow the information that applies to your current status.

If you do have an employer with an Apprenticeship contract of employment in place then please click the button ’19+ Years – How to Apply’ located in the menu underneath this section, where you will be taken to the next stage of the application process.

I am already in employment and my employer would like to put me through an apprenticeship

If you are already in employment then please contact our Apprenticeship Admissions Team where they will work with you and your employer to complete the sign-up and enrolment onto the programme.

I don’t have an employer

If you do not have a contract offer of employment from an employer in place then there are other options available to you:

Apply for a vacancy

Employers can recruit for apprentice positions all year round. We have apprenticeship vacancies listed on our website throughout the year in a variety of industries and with employers small, medium and large.

View our live vacancies

Join Our Talent Pool

All you have to do is complete and submit our Talent Pool application form, attend a pre-screening assessment/interview and be available when contacted. We will then send your details along with your profile to employers looking for an apprentice, inform you if you are selected for interview, and send you guidance to prepare you for interview.

Join our Talent Pool

If you are unsure about any of the above and would like to speak to our apprenticeships team directly then please contact us using the below:

01206 712043 – Applicant Enquiries or email:

ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

Employer Enquiries

If you would be interested to find out more about how this apprenticeship can work for your business or already have a member of staff who this apprenticeship would be perfect for please contact us using the ‘Hire an Apprentice: Enquire Here’ button in the menu below.

Apply Now

Information for Employers

How is my business going to benefit from an Apprentice?

Fill your skills gaps: an Apprentice’s training is tailored to your organisation’s needs, resulting in a loyal, motivated work force Increase productivity by developing staff skills and expertise.

Value for money: a cost effective way to attract new talent and fresh eyes into your organisation.

Cost saving: we can advertise your vacancies and recruit the best candidates for your needs.

An industry recognised professional qualification can be built into the course which your apprentice will bring back to the business, providing value for money and a return on investment in their career as well as bringing back up to date knowledge from college.

What will this cost my business?

Levy paying employers can access levy funds to pay for this programme, and our blended learning model can contribute to the 20% off- the-job training requirement.

The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in April 2017 has changed the way that government funds apprenticeships in England. All businesses operating within the UK with a wage bill of over £3million are required to contribute to the Apprenticeship Levy.

If the levy applies to your business you will be required to pay 0.5% of your entire wage bill into the levy. This will be offset against a levy allowance worth £15,000 for each tax year.
You will only be able to use your levy payment for government backed apprenticeships.
Levy payments will expire after 18 months.

Speak to an Advisor at CI Business Solutions on 01206 712727 to make your levy payments work for you.

Non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 5% of the maximum funding band as published by the Skills Funding Agency for the delivery of training and assessment for their apprenticeship.

Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account.

Employers with less than 50 employees who are recruiting an apprentice aged 16-18 years old will not be required to pay the contribution fee.

Any associated cost to the individual will be made clear at the interview.

What about support in the workplace?

Skilled and knowledgeable staff must be available to support the apprentice in the workplace.

Does the apprentice have to attend college?

College attendance where required will be communicated post-application and enrolment.

Why should I choose Colchester Institute to support my recruitment and retention?

Colchester Institute is the largest college provider of apprenticeships in Greater Essex. We are experts at connecting the right people, to the right training, to the right business – and when it comes to Apprenticeships, our Apprenticeship Advisors can support your business every step of the way.

As part of our service we can support your business with:

Advertising the Apprenticeship vacancy
Manage the applications received in line with your individual requirements
Match prospective candidates already known to us
Conduct initial pre-screening for candidates
Carry out visits to your premises alongside regular reviews to support you, your staff and your apprentice
Advice on any grants or funding where available

Our team will provide:

A fee free recruitment service.
Personal 1:1 Apprenticeship Levy advice and guidance.
A dedicated Account Manager.
Industry experienced, professional, technical trainers.
Bespoke programmes available upon request.
An Essex priority skills focus.
Free employer events.

Hire an Apprentice: Enquire Here Employer Enquiry Line: 01206 712 727 Register a Vacancy Employer Information Events : Book Your Place Join our mailing list

What will this cost my Business?

Non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 5% of the maximum funding band as published by the Skills Funding Agency for the delivery of training and assessment for their apprenticeship. Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account.

Apprenticeship Funding Bands

Apprenticeship Funding Bands
Employers with less than 50 employees who are recruiting an apprentice aged 16-18 years old will not be required to pay the contribution fee. Any associated cost to the individual will be made clear at the interview.

View / Download Course Factsheet (PDF)

Business Administrator Apprenticeship

Course Outline: Business administrators have a highly transferable set of knowledge, skills and behaviours that can be applied in all sectors.

Starting employment as an apprentice can occur throughout the year. However, the start date for attending college for training, where required, or if delivered online, when sessions begin, will vary depending on the type of apprenticeship and will be communicated post-employment and sign-up.

Level	Level 3
Location	Colchester
Duration	18 months to 2 years
Campus / Adult Skills Centre	Colchester Campus
Apprenticeship Funding Band (Levy paying employers)	£5,000
Employer Contribution Fee (Non-levy paying employers)	£250

15 – 18 Years – Apply Online 19+ Years – How To Apply Apprenticeship Enquiry Line: 01206 712 043 Open Event Updates Latest Apprenticeship Vacancies

Disclaimer

All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2022-23 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.

The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.