Apprentice - Business Administration in Barnstaple

North Devon Council is looking to recruit an Apprentice - Business Administration. To be trained to undertake on-the-job professional development whilst providing technical, business and administrative support within various Council service areas. You will develop a range of highly transferable business administration skills.

Hours: Monday to Friday, between 9.00am - 5.00pm. 37 hours a week

Duration: 2 years

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:

• Work within various service areas in order to gain broad experience of council working
• Follow a programme of on-the-job training through a variety of placements whilst attending North Devon College to gain a Business Administration Level 3 qualification
• Undertake project-based tasks to contribute to service improvements and developments
• Carry out a variety of supportive administrative duties
• Gain a knowledge and ability to use NDC processes and systems
• Prioritise workload to ensure business objectives are achieved and meet customer requirements
• Maintain good working relationships with customers and stakeholders
• Ensure all records are updated to ensure an audit trail
• Undertake other tasks and duties, appropriate to abilities, as designated by supervisor

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

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 presents solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and is 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 from 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 themselves 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.

You will receive on-the-job training. You will attend Petroc one day per week and study towards a Level 3 Business Administration qualification.

Requirements:

• GCSE in Maths (grade 4)
• Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills:

• Customer care skills
• Motivated
• Experience of using Excel spreadsheets
• Ability to organise and prioritise workloads

About this employer: North Devon has 419 square miles of some of Britain's finest countryside and coastline including 66 square miles of outstanding natural beauty. Sandy beaches provide some of the best surfing in the UK.

Our Mission: to improve the quality of life for everyone in North Devon

Our Vision: we will provide value for money and seek to improve the efficiency of everything we do

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.

After this apprenticeship: This is a temporary post for up to two years. During your apprenticeship, you will have the opportunity to apply for internal, as well as any external, vacancies.

The contact for this apprenticeship is: PETROC

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000011262.

Apply now. Closes in 7 days (Wednesday 11 February 2026).