Apprentice Receptionist/Administrator

Summary

Acting as the first point of contact, you will be responsible for providing a professional and welcoming service to learners, staff, external stakeholders and any other visitors to SS&L. You will ensure all enquiries are handled efficiently and courteously, while supporting the smooth day-to-day administration and support to colleagues.

Wage

£25,480 a year

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Thursday, 8.30am - 5.00pm. Friday, 8.30am - 4.30pm.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 2 November 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

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

Reception & Customer Service

• Welcome and assist visitors, learners, staff, contractors and external stakeholders in a professional and friendly manner
• Manage the reception area, ensuring it is clean, organised and presentable at all times
• Respond to enquiries in person, by telephone and via email, directing individuals to the appropriate person or department ensuring CRM is up-to-date
• Maintain visitor sign-in procedures and issue visitor badges
• Ensure safeguarding, security and health and safety procedures are followed for all visitors
• Provide initial information to potential learners relating to apprenticeships, 16 – 19 courses, adult skills and community learning
• Keep abreast of the organisation’s curriculum offer to be able to provide accurate information

Mandatory Duties:

Communication & Administration

• Monitor and manage shared email inboxes, responding to routine enquiries and forwarding messages as appropriate
• Monitor and respond to enquiries received via CRM, signposting to the most appropriate colleague within the organisation
• Provide administrative support to colleagues, prioritising work as appropriate
• Take minutes of meetings
• Maintain accurate records in line with organisational requirements and data protection legislation
• Support with booking and preparation of meeting and teaching rooms
• Process DBS applications
• Receive, sort and distribute incoming post and deliveries
• Prepare and post outgoing mail

Learner Support

• Gather and check learner evidence
• Support with exam invigilation

Compliance & General Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately · Comply with organisational policies, including safeguarding, equality & diversity, health & safety and data protection requirements
• Act in a professional manner that promotes the organisation’s values and reputation
• Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the level of the post

All employees are expected to demonstrate our values: Collaboration, Growth, Excellence and Innovation. Living these behaviours day-to-day is a core expectation of your role and all employees will be developed and coached to properly engage with our expected behaviours, as outlined in our behaviours’ framework

All employees are expected to have a commitment to promoting Equal Opportunities. All employees are expected to have a commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of SS&L learners and staff.

Where you'll work

Churchill House
Robins Drive
East Quay
Bridgwater
TA6 4DL

Training

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

Training provider

SOMERSET SKILLS & LEARNING CIC

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

What you'll learn

• 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.

Training schedule

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4 (or Level 2 equivalent))
• Maths (grade 4 (or Level 2 equivalent))

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted 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
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative