Test Centre Administrator Apprentice

Summary

Role involves handling inbound/outbound calls and emails, managing incoming enquiries, and performing various admin duties as needed. You will conduct mandatory training through the company’s in-house system. Responsibilities also include carrying out security checks on candidates entering the centre and invigilating online exams.

Wage

£12,480 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Pay: £8.00 per hour - this can increase based on performance

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

SPARK Exam Centre Opening Hours- Tuesday, Wed, Thursday & Friday: 08:00- 16:00; Sat: 09:00- 16:00. You will be required to work 5 days per week total of 30 hours. This may include Saturdays. The working times/days may also be subject to change.

30 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 December 2026

Duration

1 year 1 month

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

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to help people during a very important event in their lives. Along with our small, vibrant team, who all share our passion for helping customers throughout their learning and assessment journey. Supporting our test centre team, you will:

• Make and receive calls and emails
• Handle incoming enquiries
• Welcome, greet and check in customers/test-taking candidates
• Carry out security checks on candidates coming into the centre
• Verify customer/candidate personal identification documents and explain the exam testing process/rules
• Troubleshoot with internal departments, such as our IT department, to fix any technical issues in the test centre
• Maintaining confidentiality and professionalism at all times, especially when dealing with sensitive candidate data
• Comply with all exam testing security and procedures and follow company policies using careful judgment
• Invigilate candidates while they are completing their exam/test, including online tests
• We have an in-house training system, where you will have to conduct mandatory training
• Other ad hoc admin duties

Where you'll work

30 31 Friars Street (Nandos Building)
2nd Floor off Merchants Place
Reading
RG1 1DX

Training

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

Training provider

DAVIDSON TRAINING UK LIMITED

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

• Full training will be given, leading to a recognised Business Administration Apprenticeship Standard Level 3 qualification
• Full-on-the-job training will be delivered
• Off-the-job training will be supported by our training provider - Davidson Training UK Ltd
• You will complete the Functional Skills in maths and English up to and including Level 2 (if you don't already hold the equivalent)
• All training will be delivered in the workplace during working hours; no college day release is required

Requirements

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
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience

Other requirements

Important Note- Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR): Due to the nature of the role, there is a genuine occupational requirement for the apprentice to be female. This is to ensure the comfort, dignity, and religious needs of female Muslim candidates being invigilated, as the role involves conducting physical checks in private areas (e.g. under head coverings), which must be carried out by a female.

To fall in line with HMRC requirements candidate MUST BE 18 and over. Location- Please use ANY Reading town car park - a couple of minutes' walk from the exam centre. Approximately 2 minutes' walk from Reading train station; Approximately 5 minutes' walk from Reading Mall shopping car park. An approximately 5-minute walk from Queen's Road car park.

You must be flexible to work different days and times and comfortable in a quiet testing environment, with excellent attention to detail, monitoring restricted behaviour, and noticing details from a distance. You should be able to sit for long periods of time and escort candidates to and from the exam/test room.