Apprentice - Governance and Procurement

Summary

We are offering an exciting opportunity where you “earn and learn”. This apprenticeship will give you a wide-ranging experience of our Governance and Procurement Service whilst building your knowledge and helping to lead you into a career in local government.

Wage

£20,932.81 a year

Starting salary £10.85 per hour plus excellent employee benefits package, increasing to the national minimum wage for your age in year two.

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday, full-time.

37 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 December 2026

Duration

2 years

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

To assist in providing effective and efficient administration support to the Governance and Procurement Service.

•arrangements for local and national elections and referenda
•maintenance of the register of electors and absent voters lists including regular contact with members of the public
•arrangements for meetings of Council, Cabinet and Council committees
•assisting in the administration of the Procurement Service
•administration of governance databases and portals
•working with Officers within the Governance and Procurement Team to support various aspects of their work

You will be expected to carry out tasks required on a day-to-day basis. The work you will do will be designed to ensure you meet the evidence and standards required for your qualification.

Where you'll work

West Suffolk House
Western Way
Bury St. Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 3YU

Training

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

Training provider

GINGER NUT MEDIA 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

Whilst working, you will complete a Level 3 qualification in Business Administration, for which you will be entitled to paid study time to complete; this is linked to the national apprenticeship scheme. You will have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, learning and develop new skills whilst building your confidence along the way.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English Language, Maths, and ICT or equivalent. (grade 9 to 4 (formerly A* to C))

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Team working
• Initiative

Other requirements

Must be eligible for apprenticeship funding.