Apprentice Business Administrator

Cranfield University - Cranfield Defence and Security

Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 4NA

Closes in 16 days (Sunday 17 November)

Posted on 28 October 2024


Summary

Are you passionate about providing first class customer service and eager to kickstart your career in administration? Join our team for an opportunity to work in an interesting setting within the defence industry at COTEC (Cranfield Ordnance and Test Evaluation Centre) which is located on Salisbury Plain, south of Devizes.

Annual wage
£23,152 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered. Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 4:30pm (half an hour for lunch) Friday 8:30am to 4:00pm (half an hour for lunch)

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 6 January

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

  • Learn how to produce accurate records and documents including
    emails, letters, files), draft correspondence, maintain records and files and handle confidential information in compliance with current procedures.
  • Be supported to develop skills in making effective decisions through exercising proactively and good judgement and seeking advice from more experienced team members.
  • Learn how to develop excellent communication skills through appropriate digital and face to face channels and act as a role model and key source of information for the organization.
  • Be supported in building positive relationships across the organization and develop agility and confidence to influence and appropriately challenge.
  • Be supported to develop the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and continuously improve your work, reviewing processes in line with best practice and applying problem-solving skills to resolve challenges.
  • Learn how to manage resources and taking responsibility for initiating and completing tasks and managing priorities to successfully meet deadlines.
  • To be trained in the efficient use of information technology systems in order to carry out duties in the most efficient and effective manner.
  • To participate in team meetings, 121’s and other appropriate events
  • To maintain general good housekeeping of the workplace
  • To undertake other duties commensurate to the grade of the post

Where you’ll work

Cranfield Ordnance Test and Evaluation Centre (COTEC)

Gore Cross

West Lavington

Devizes, Wiltshire

SN10 4NA

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

GINGER NUT MEDIA 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

    • L3 Business administrator Apprenticeship Standard


     

    Requirements

    Essential qualifications

    GCSE in:

    • English (grade 4 and above)
    • Maths (grade 4 and above)

    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
    • Customer care skills
    • Problem solving skills
    • Administrative skills
    • Number skills
    • Logical
    • Team working
    • Creative
    • Initiative
    • Non judgemental
    • Patience
    • able to following instructions
    • Flexible attitude
    • Able to cope with change
    • Dependable and reliable
    • Self-motivated

    Other requirements

    Please make sure you can commute to the location for this role.

    About this company

    COTEC is an outstation of Cranfield Defence and Security and is located on Salisbury Plain south of Devizes. The site is leased from the MOD and all range operations are carried out under the authority of Defence Training Estates Salisbury Plain DTE(SP). The site carries out a large range of tasks primarily based around the testing and evaluation of explosives, ordnance, and munitions for defence and commercial customers. The site also carries out research and supports the research projects of Cranfield University students. COTEC carries out its own technical, facilities and administrative duties and facilities management with support from the relevant departments on Shrivenham site.

    https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/Centres/Centre-for-Defence-Chemistry/Cranfield-Ordnance-Test-and-Evaluat (opens in new tab)

    Disability Confident

    Disability Confident

    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 permanent role and it is expected that the role holder will become a valuable member of the administration team and contribute to smooth operation of COTEC on completion of the apprenticeship.

    Ask a question

    The contact for this apprenticeship is:

    GINGER NUT MEDIA LIMITED

    The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000284495.

    Apply now

    Closes in 16 days (Sunday 17 November)

    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.

    After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

    Company’s application instructions

    Please apply using the APPLY NOW button on our recruitment webpage. You will need to create an account in order to do so.