What to expect in a business admin apprenticeship

From managing schedules and communicating effectively to organising crucial data and supporting executive decisions, Business Administrators keep everything running smoothly.

If you’re looking to kickstart a dynamic career or elevate your existing administrative skills, the Level 3 Business Admin Apprenticeship offers a robust, highly transferable pathway to a career in business.

At Penshaw View, we believe in empowering individuals and strengthening businesses through high-quality vocational training. This blog post is designed to give you an insider’s view into what you can truly expect from a business admin apprenticeship, shedding light on its structure, the skills you’ll gain, and the opportunities it unlocks across all sectors.

What the apprenticeship covers

The Business Administrator role is defined by its flexibility and transferable skills. This qualification isn’t limited to a single industry; the knowledge, skills, and behaviours you develop can be applied across the public sector, private sector, and charitable sector, in both small and large businesses alike.

The Business Administrator Level 3 programme typically runs for an 18-month duration of on-programme learning, followed by an End-Point Assessment (EPA). It is a learner-focused approach with a dynamic delivery plan, ensuring your training is always relevant to your actual job.

The core purpose of this role is to develop, implement, maintain, and improve administrative services. You’ll be focused on adding value by contributing to the efficiency of an organisation, working across teams, supporting functional areas, and resolving issues as requested.

Essential skills

This is the practical, hands-on development that ensures you can support and engage with different parts of the organisation and interact with internal or external customers effectively.

It includes:

IT proficiency and data management

A core expectation is for the Business Administrator to be skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation. This includes using software (like MS Office or equivalent). You’ll regularly update and review databases and produce data analysis reports when required, becoming adept at using technology to drive efficiency.

Accurate documentation and judgement

The role requires producing accurate records and documents to a high standard, which involves handling confidential information in strict compliance with organisational procedures.

This ties directly into exercising proactivity and good judgement, as you’ll make effective, soundly reasoned decisions and address challenges maturely, knowing when to seek advice from more experienced team members.

Building relationships

A successful Business Administrator must build and maintain positive relationships both within their team and across the wider organisation. This requires strong communication skills, adapting your delivery whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing, or across digital platforms.

You’ll use the most appropriate channels effectively, demonstrating agility and confidence in your communications while carrying authority appropriately.

Ownership and problem solving

You are expected to take responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, effectively managing your priorities and time to consistently meet deadlines. The Administrator is also a key point of contact for addressing issues, applying problem-solving skills to resolve complaints.

Furthermore, you’ll manage resources (like equipment or facilities), and frequently organise meetings and events, including logistics, taking minutes, and creating action logs.

Continuous improvement and project support

The role includes an element of continuous service improvement. You will be able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. You’ll apply your expertise to complete tasks to a high standard, even sharing administrative best practice across the organisation.

Finally, the role involves significant project support, requiring you to use relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor, and report.

Professional behaviours

The apprenticeship places a strong emphasis on developing the behaviours that support your progression, including:

• Adhering to the organisation’s code of conduct
• Showing exemplary qualities like integrity, reliability, self-motivation, proactivity, and a positive attitude
• Taking responsibility for your own work and development, accepting feedback positively, showing resilience, and taking initiative to develop your own and others’ skills
• Being able to accept and deal with changing priorities related to both your own work and the wider organisation

Working with UK-leading professional services

The greatest strength of an apprenticeship is the ‘earn-while-you-learn’ model, facilitated by having a dedicated Workplace Mentor. You apply your learning directly in a live environment, solidifying your understanding and building practical experience from day one.

For example, at Penshaw View Training, we work closely with Speedy Hire, a leading provider of equipment rental and support services, to give apprentices invaluable real-world experience. As a Business Administrator Apprentice at Speedy Hire, you’d be liaising with suppliers, clients, and internal functional areas daily to ensure operational continuity within a fast-paced industry.

This immersive development, centred around your specific workplace, quickly builds the agility and confidence needed to carry authority and become a trusted, essential resource for your organisation.

Benefits for learners and employers

The Business Admin Apprenticeship is a true win-win scenario, delivering significant, measurable advantages for both the individual learner and the employing organisation.

For the learner:

• Develop key skills and behaviours that specifically support a trajectory towards supervisory or management responsibilities
• Gain a recognised Level 3 qualification (equivalent to A-Levels) while earning a wage
• The ability to work across sectors makes you highly employable anywhere

For the employer:

• Develop a highly skilled administrator whose training is directly relevant to your unique policies and processes
• The apprentice’s focus on improving administrative services and applying a solutions-based approach directly contributes to operational efficiency
• Identify and nurture individuals who show the potential for people management responsibilities and strong team leadership early on
• The apprentice’s training in relevant regulation and compliance helps support your organisation’s adherence to legal requirements

From enrolment to End-Point Assessment (EPA)

Your journey with Penshaw View is structured, supportive, and dynamic. Here’s a quick breakdown of how it all works in practice:

1. The enrolment phase involves recruitment support, initial skills assessments, health and safety vetting, and agreeing on your individual learning plan and commitment statement.
2. You’ll receive a full induction with your dedicated trainer, involving your workplace manager/mentor.
3. The 18-month programme is the core learning period which involves regular trainer-led learning sessions, continuous workplace portfolio development, the allocation of your ‘off-the-job’ hours, and the use of digital platforms and resources. Regular 12-week progress reviews and mentor support ensure you remain on track.
4. The End-Point Assessment (EPA) involves a knowledge multiple choice test, a portfolio-based interview and a project presentation to confirm your competence.

The Business Admin Apprenticeship provides the blueprint for a resilient, transferable, and rewarding career. By focusing on core business knowledge, essential skills, and professional behaviours, you are positioning yourself for advancement.

At Penshaw View, we are committed to providing that crucial stepping stone. We offer robust support to both apprentices looking to upskill and employers searching for the perfect candidate.

Find out more about the range of apprenticeships we have on offer.