Business administration apprentice

Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Apprentice Receptionist to join our busy high street law firm. Based at our office in Bishop Auckland, the successful candidate will provide an efficient reception service to our clients in addition to general administrative support.

Wage

£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

33 days holiday (including bank holidays) Company pension Employee discount

Training course Business administrator (level 3)

Hours Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5:30pm, with 1 hour for lunch.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

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

What you'll do at work

• Greeting visitors
• Dealing with petty cash and weekly banking
• Organising the post, including franking, recorded deliveries and courier service
• Typing letters
• Answering the telephone and taking messages
• Photocopying
• Checking client ID
• Making refreshments
• Managing and booking meeting rooms and making appointments
• Ordering stationery

After month 3 your role will be expanded to include secretary duties such as setting up files and speaking to clients.  Touch typing and arranging appointments for solicitors. 

This will become 50% of your role as an apprentice. 

It will be your responsibility to complete and hand work in to your college tutor on time and to a high standard. 

You will be allocated time during your working week to complete college work and tasks.

Where you'll work

5-7 COCKTON HILL ROAD
BISHOP AUCKLAND
DL14 6EN

Training

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

Training provider

BISHOP AUCKLAND COLLEGE

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

What you'll learn

• 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

• Business Administrator Level 3 qualification
• You will be assigned a tutor who will visit you in the workplace. You will not need to come into Bishop Auckland College on a weekly basis, only for the initial assessment and module tests as part of the apprenticeship
• Full training provided by the employer

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 9-4 / A*-C / Level 2)
• Maths (grade 9-4 / A*-C / Level 2)

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
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience