Administration Apprenticeship in Plymouth

Our 2-year Administration Apprenticeship is a great way to start building your career in business administration. Based at Devonport Royal Dockyard, you’ll learn how to manage tasks, coordinate projects and support teams that help keep one of the UK’s most complex engineering sites running smoothly.

About the programme

Every day brings new experiences and opportunities to grow. You might be supporting meetings, managing documents, greeting visitors, ordering stationery, arranging travel, updating systems, answering the company switchboard or covering the reception desk for one of our busy buildings. You’ll also spend time attending workshops at City College Plymouth, working on your qualification and taking part in review sessions to track your progress. You’ll complete three shorter placements in your first year, each lasting around four months, giving you the chance to explore different parts of the business and understand how various teams operate. In your second year, you’ll move into a longer placement, focusing on a specific area where you’ll develop deeper skills and confidence in everything from coordinating meetings and managing documentation to handling enquiries, maintaining records and providing day‑to‑day support to your team. Alongside your main responsibilities, you’ll take part in projects designed to boost your teamwork, communication and problem‑solving skills. Past apprentices have organised charity fundraisers, created games for careers fairs, and helped develop new ways to attract future apprentices. It’s a friendly, supportive environment where you’ll learn from experienced colleagues and quickly feel part of the team.

Your education/training

As part of your apprenticeship, you’ll study for the Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard through City College Plymouth. Training is delivered through regular workshops and guided learning sessions that will help you apply your skills to real work situations. You’ll also attend sessions focused on personal and professional development – from building confidence and communication to managing time and setting goals. Your qualification will combine coursework, practical experience and an End Point Assessment to demonstrate your progress. Once you complete your apprenticeship, you’ll move into a permanent role as an Administrator in the business area where you’ve spent your final year. You’ll have the experience and confidence to take on new responsibilities, support projects, and make a real difference in how our teams operate. Your starting salary will be around £26,364, with opportunities to progress as you continue to grow. You may also choose to complete further qualifications, such as the Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship or even project management training, depending on your interests and role. From there, your development doesn’t stop. Through the Babcock Role Framework, you’ll have a clear view of how your career can progress, with mapped‑out pathways, development opportunities and the tools you need to get wherever you want to go.

What you’ll need

• 2 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in Maths and English.
• Due to ID requirements for entry to the Devonport Dockyard, you will need to provide either a valid passport or a provisional/full UK driving licence. If you do not currently hold one of these forms of ID, we strongly recommend applying in advance to ensure smooth access on your first day.
• Many of our apprenticeship programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance.

What you’ll get

We’ll provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career. In addition, you’ll benefit from:

• Fully funded qualification
• Personal development training and opportunities
• Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
• Employee share scheme
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portal

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding. It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career. Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.

Application process and closing dates

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the programme may close early if we receive a high volume of interest. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we strongly recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.