Business Support Apprentice

LATIMER HINKS SOLICITORS LIMITED

DARLINGTON, DL1 1NL

Closes in 13 days (Tuesday 4 February at 11:59pm)

Posted on 21 January 2025

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Summary

We have a great opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to join our busy office team. The Business Support Apprentice will help with a broad range of administrative tasks covering many aspects of the business.

Annual wage
£14,976 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Pay will be £8.00 per hour which is 7% above the April 2025 hourly rate

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5.15pm and Friday 9am to 5.00pm with flexibility to suit the needs of the business, with one hour for lunch. Working 4 days per week plus 1 day per week study at Darlington College.

36 hours a week

Possible start date

Tuesday 18 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

You will work within the Business Administrative Support team and gain a broad understanding of legal administrative support, IT, Human Resources, marketing, compliance, customer service and finance.

This is a developmental role designed to provide the successful candidate with a comprehensive overview of administrative operations within a professional legal environment.

Key responsibilities and example tasks:

Legal administrative support:

  • Assist with file management including post, email and client file administration
  • Ensure accurate and timely data entry into case management systems
  • Organise and manage the archiving of documents

IT:

  • Support the implementation of software updates and maintenance schedules
  • Help to maintain accurate IT inventory records
  • Provide support to staff on IT related queries
  • Assist with basic troubleshooting and resolve technical issues

HR:

  • Assist with maintaining employee records and documentation including updates on the HR portal
  • Support the recruitment process, including scheduling interviews and liaising with candidates
  • Help to coordinate staff training sessions and maintain training records
  • Assist in the preparation of HR reports and compliance checks

Marketing:

  • Support the creation of marketing materials, social media posts and email campaigns
  • Assist in updating the company website and social media profiles
  • Monitor and report on marketing metrics such as website traffic and engagement rates
  • Coordinate with external agencies for promotional activities

Compliance:

  • Assist with the maintenance of policies in line with ISO requirements
  • Support audits by ensuring documentation is up to date and accurate
  • Help to monitor adherence to GDPR and other regulatory requirements
  • Provide support in identifying and reporting potential compliance risks

Client service:

  • Greet clients and visitors professionally, ensuring a positive first impression
  • Answer and direct telephone calls appropriately
  • Manage client inquiries and escalate them to the appropriate team as necessary
  • Support the scheduling of client appointments

Finance:

  • Assist with basic bookkeeping tasks such as data entry and reconciling records
  • Support the preparation of invoices and monitor payments
  • Maintain accurate financial records for internal reporting purposes
  • Help with expense tracking and reconciliation

Where you’ll work

5-8 PRIESTGATE

DARLINGTON

DL1 1NL

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

DARLINGTON 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

  • Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard
  • Location: 5-8 Priestgate, Darlington DL1 1NL
  • Working 5 days per week inclusive of 1 day per week for study at Darlington College

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • Maths and English (grade 4/C)

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
  • Organisation skills
  • Team working
  • Eager to learn
  • Skill development
  • Strong work ethic
  • Professionalism
  • Accuracy
  • Proactive
  • Resourceful
  • Integrity
  • Confidentiality
  • Time management
  • Work independently
  • Customer focused
  • Work to deadlines

Other requirements

Applicants should submit their CV and a covering letter explaining why they are interested in the role and how their skills and attributes align with the position. Latimer Hinks Solicitors is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace. This apprenticeship represents an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual to gain valuable experience in a respected legal practice. Please note that in line with UK apprenticeship regulations, you must have a valid and eligible residency status and the right to work in England. This should cover the entire expected term of learning and residency should be held for a minimum of 3 years, exceptions may apply please see Apprenticeship funding rules for full guidance.

About this company

Based in Darlington, we are a discreet niche law firm with a national presence providing specialist and bespoke services in private client, property and agricultural law for more than 125 years.

https://latimerhinks.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

After successful completion of the apprenticeship, a full time position would be the aim of this appointment.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DARLINGTON COLLEGE

Rosanna Lee

rlee@darlington.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000296042.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Tuesday 4 February at 11:59pm)

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