Apprentice Receptionist and Administration Assistant - University of Oxford BioEscalator

University of Oxford

Oxford, OX3 7FZ

Closes on Monday 6 January

Posted on 18 November 2024


Summary

Kickstart your career at the BioEscalator, the incubator for University of Oxford biomedical start-ups within the Medical Sciences Division. A super pathway to develop essential skills, whilst providing professional, quality customer service & administrative support within a collaborative team at the heart of Oxford’s thriving innovation community.

Annual wage
£25,331 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday The core hours are 8.45am – 4.00pm with some flexibility with start and finish times.

36 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 24 February

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

About the Role:

As an Apprentice Receptionist and Administration Assistant, you will be a key member of the BioEscalator team, managing reception and supporting the team’s administrative functions. You will gain hands-on experience in tasks such as handling enquiries, supporting financial processes and events and assisting with day-to-day operations. We seek motivated individuals with a passion for learning and a commitment to supporting others. Previous experience is not required - just a proactive and can-do attitude and a willingness to learn and take on new challenges. 

What You Will Do:

(Full training will be provided as part of the apprenticeship)

  • Provide a professional welcome to all visitors and manage the day-to-day running of the reception.
  • Organise room bookings, parking, manage access rights and coordinate diary activities. 
  • Support financial administration, including processing orders and maintaining office supplies. 
  • Assist with event preparation and provide support on the day to ensure smooth delivery.
  • Help maintain up-to-date databases and general office organisation.

Please note that there is a more detailed Job Description on the University of Oxford jobs and vacancies page - vacancy reference 176480

Where you’ll work

BioEscalator

Medical Sciences Divisional Office.

Old Road Campus, Headington

Oxford

OX3 7FZ

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents
  • 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.

Your training plan

Duration:

  • 15 months practical training period, plus 3 months for End Point Assessment

Delivery model:

  • Work-based training with your employer
  • 10 days Business Professionals training at college 
  • Approximately 12 on-site assessment visits per year
  • Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (7 days at college for each, if required)
  • Off the job training will count for at least 6 hours per week of an apprentice’s time at work

Qualifications included:

  • Level 2 Functional Skills in English and maths (if required)
  • Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship standard

End Point Assessment:

  • Knowledge test
  • Portfolio based interview
  • Project/improvement presentation

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • Maths and English (grade A*-C/9-4 or equivalent)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • MS Excel, Outlook and Word
  • Proactive 'can-do' approach
  • Willing to learn new skills

Other requirements

This role is open to those who are 18+ only due to the increasing responsibilities of the role over the course of the apprenticeship and the requirement to serve/handle alcohol within the events part of the role. Your application will be judged solely on the basis of how you demonstrate that you meet the selection criteria stated in the job description. As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly by the Apprenticeship Training Provider and will be required to complete initial assessments in English and maths, provide an up-to-date CV and book onto a short eligibility assessment telephone call where you can also find out more about the apprenticeship and ask any questions you may have. By applying for this vacancy, you are giving the Training Provider permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. The Training Provider for this apprenticeship is Abingdon & Witney College. If you would like to talk to them about the assessments, please call on 01235 216216. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible.

About this company

We are the largest employer in Oxfordshire with around 16,000 staff working in and around Oxford in a huge range of roles. Our apprentices are never on their own and will benefit from a supportive environment working in collaboration with the rest of our committed team. You will also be supported by the central apprenticeship team and you will join our growing network of apprentices within the university. You will have the opportunity to become an apprenticeship ambassador for the University and region. We will provide you with a welcoming and inclusive workplace, offering support and development opportunities that will enable you to progress and do your best work. We recognise diversity as our strength, vital for innovation and creativity, and we aspire to build a truly diverse community, which values and respects every individual’s unique contribution.

http://www.bioescalator.ox.ac.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

You'll enjoy 38 days’ paid holiday, generous pension schemes, travel discounts and professional development opportunities. Free entry to the Botanic Gardens and University colleges, and discounts at university museums.

After this apprenticeship

Over 80% of our apprentices continue with us in the role they have been trained for after their apprenticeship and that is just the start of their career.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

Jane Phipps

apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk

01235 216216

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000287396.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 6 January

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.