Apprentice - Business & Administration
Fixed Term, Full Time
£14,567 per annum rising to £23,557 per annum on the second year
Location: Colchester
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 17th October 2025
About the Role
Are you looking to take first steps in starting a career in Business Administration? Would you love to work alongside a supportive, friendly, welcoming and high achieving team? This could be the opportunity you are looking for!
As this is an apprenticeship opportunity, you may be required to work onsite 5 days per week to enable support, learning and development.
Benefits
* Healthy work life balance; flexible and hybrid working options.
* Wide range of learning and development opportunities.
* IT equipment and home-working equipment supplied.
* 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + option to buy extra.
* Generous Local Government Salary related pension scheme.
* Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Rewards.
* Access to our health and wellbeing support platform with LifeWorks.
* Disability Confident Leader: interview all disabled applicants who meet minimum requirements of the job.
* Up to 4 days per annum volunteering leave.
* National Apprenticeship Wage for the first 12 months; after 12 months salary rises to National Living Wage (currently £23,557 per annum as of 01 April 2025).
* A Customer Service Level 2 or a Business Administrator Level 3 qualification via Adult Community Learning (ACL).
During the apprenticeship with Essex County Council (ECC), you will be supported from day one. You’ll be invited to onboarding events, have access to exclusive training material, be enrolled in the apprenticeship channel alongside colleagues, be invited to frequent gatherings, and receive peer-to-peer guidance. You will have the opportunity to showcase your apprenticeship experience to external audiences. Apprenticeships are a valued career pathway within ECC, with many apprentices progressing to permanent roles.
Our Level 2 apprenticeship is an intermediate level apprenticeship (equivalent to 5 GCSE passes). Our Level 3 apprenticeship is an advanced apprenticeship (equivalent to two A Levels or T Level). These apprenticeships provide a stepping stone into your chosen career. You’ll work under the guidance of experienced professionals to develop a solid foundation while contributing to ECC’s goals.
There is opportunity to progress to further roles and training within Essex County Council. You will be encouraged to share ideas, grow your skillset and collaborate with an innovative team.
What our apprentices say
“I really enjoyed my apprenticeship with ECC, on-the-job learning with minimal classroom work, and the opportunities for career development have been broader than expected.”
“I love the apprenticeship process as you’re paid to learn. It’s a great starting point to explore different roles and build good relationships.”
The Role
Essex County Council is looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our team as an Apprentice within our Business Support function. The role is rewarding for someone interested in office administration, helping people, and working in a busy team. ECC values its apprentices and supports progression within the organisation; over 85% secure permanent roles during their apprenticeship.
This position provides work-based experience to complement the learning elements of the Apprenticeship Framework and offers a supportive environment to gain experience and transferable skills such as IT systems, organisation, teamwork and communication. The Business Support team provides high-quality administrative support to ECC frontline services and offers experience in customer service and administrative tasks.
About You
You will be:
* Educated to RQF level 2 (GCSE) or equivalent by experience.
* Highly organised and reliable.
* Capable of prioritising a demanding workload with a “can do” attitude.
* Able to take ownership of work and meet commitments.
* Able to communicate effectively, build relationships and provide high-quality service to customers.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office/Office 365 applications and willing to learn new systems.
* Friendly with a good phone manner.
* Emotionally intelligent.
* Good teamwork skills and a commitment to collaboration.
* Experience in a working environment is helpful, but not essential.
Essential Requirements for the role
* You will need to be 16 years of age at the start of the apprenticeship.
* You will need the right to work and study in England.
* You will have ordinarily resided in the UK or EEA for three years before the start date.
* You cannot have previously completed a qualification that is Level 2 or above in a field related to Customer Services or Business Administration.
* As apprentices have employed status you must have the right to live, work and study in the UK. Apprenticeships are not covered by student visas.
Please note that GCSE certificates or international equivalents must be provided at final recruitment stages. If you hold international qualifications, a NARIC Statement of Comparability may be required.
What will you be doing?
You will assist with routine administrative tasks and day-to-day work, including:
* Inputting data into the relevant recording system, verifying accuracy and correcting data.
* Responding to emails and telephone calls.
* Front-facing customer service and diary/work pattern management.
* Photocopying/scanning, sending letters and handling incoming post.
* Attending meetings with team colleagues and Managers, in person or via video.
* Working from home or in an office space.
* Cooperating with other administrative staff and apprentices who will support day-to-day tasks.
* Following ECC policies and procedures and expected standards of behaviour.
How to apply
Start your journey within Business Administration by clicking the APPLY button now. For more information, email work.placements@essex.gov.uk.
As part of employment with ECC, some roles may require a DBS check. If required, you will need to register with the DBS update service (annual subscription). More information at the DBS Update Service.
ECC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other opportunities, join The Essex Talent Community.
Additional Information
Queries: jamielea.wallis@essex.gov.uk
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