Business Apprentice

Summary

Network Rail is looking to recruit 11 Apprentices to join their Manchester city centre based team, perfectly situated next to Piccadilly train station. If successful, you will receive excellent training and mentoring throughout the apprenticeship programme supporting your growth and development as you take your first steps on the career ladder!

Wage: £19,838 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm (or 8 am - 4 pm).
35 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 1 September
Duration: 1 year 5 months
Positions available: 11

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

As an Apprentice at Network Rail Shared Services, you’ll get hands-on experience working alongside experienced and established teams, providing crucial services and support to customers, both internal and external, as we strive to deliver a simpler, better, greener railway for the UK.

What you’ll do at work:

As part of your 16-month apprenticeship, you’ll be exposed to different teams and services across Shared Services, combining your own enthusiasm for learning with unrestricted access to develop knowledge and new skills, all of which will give you a strong foundation to build a successful and rewarding career. Core teams within Shared Services include:

Payroll
HR Administration & Recruitment
Customer Services Helpdesk
Accounts Payable
Account Receivable
Accounting Team
Data Processing & Management
Reporting

The apprenticeship programme will cover the following learning modules:

Personal Effectiveness & Time Management
Problem Solving & Decision Making
Project Management Tools
Business Improvement Tools
Communication Skills & Techniques
Team Working & Relationship Building
Acting Sustainably & Embracing Change
Market Forces & Business Competition
ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance)
Ethical Sourcing & Supply Chains
Positive Mindset & Wellbeing
Business Regulations & Compliance
Data Protection & GDPR
Equality & Diversity
Basic Finance - Cost Control & Budgets

A nationally recognised organisation, Network Rail Shared Services has a fantastic track record for developing and investing in their apprentices, with many previously securing permanent positions at the end of the programme.

Where you’ll work

4 Travis Street

Manchester

M1 2NY

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

THE APPRENTICE ACADEMY LIMITED

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

Alongside your duties, you will also be studying towards the level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship, which includes learning from business administration specialists

Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship standard, which includes:

Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (if not already achieved)
End-Point Assessment (EPA)
Training provided by the employer and online with The Apprentice Academy
1 to 1 coaching with an experienced coach

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade C/4)
Maths (grade C/4)

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
IT skills
Attention to detail
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Logical

Other requirements

Network Rail employ over 30,000 people and have hired apprentices with us for a number of years. Benefits include: Subsidised rail travel (75% up to maximum of £2250) on rail season tickets. Interest free season ticket loans for other travel and car parking Discounted onsite staff canteen as well as discounts across outlets within Manchester Piccadilly Station. A choice of 2 contributory pension schemes Charitable giving schemes, including company contributions A range of other benefits, including volunteer leave and eye care. Full time office working until training is complete. Following this, Network Rail are currently taking a hybrid approach, so you would be expected to work from the office at least 2 days per week, this can be more depending upon business needs. You don’t have to work from home but the option is there for your apprentice day, plus another 1-2 working days per week if business needs allow.

About this company

One of the UK’s most recognised engineering and railway companies in the heart of Manchester, Network Rail. They specialise in the maintenance and development of Britain’s rail tracks, signalling, bridges, tunnels, level crossings and many key stations. With new world-class stations being built, they are involved in some of the most ambitious and diverse ventures that this country has ever seen.

After this apprenticeship

The following roles exist at various levels across the organisation and Network Rail actively promotes from within:

Risk Management
Quality Management
Finance
Business Admin
Project Management

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE APPRENTICE ACADEMY LIMITED

Maria Grimsley

recruitment@theapprenticeacademy.co.uk

0161 200 1673

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000302138.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 31 July 2025

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