Business Administrator Apprentice

An average week for a business admin apprentice is dynamic and varied, acting as the operational heartbeat of the office. The specific tasks will shift between routine administrative support and project-based work, all designed to build core competencies.
The apprentice's schedule usually balances practical work with dedicated study time:
• Record Keeping: Creating, maintaining, and improving organized physical and digital files and records of business activity, handling confidential information appropriately.
• IT Proficiency: Using various IT packages (e.g., MS Office, databases, CRM systems) to write documents, perform financial processes, and record data.
• Organisation & Planning: Managing diaries, scheduling appointments and events, organizing meetings, and taking minutes, shift booking.
• Financial Admin: Assisting with processing invoices, timesheet processing, purchase orders, and tracking expenses.
• Problem Solving: Applying a solutions-based approach to resolve challenging complaints or improve business processes.
• Project Assistance: Using project management principles to plan, monitor, and report on tasks or small projects.
• Process Improvement: Reviewing current administrative procedures and making suggestions for improvements to efficiency.
• Learning and Development: The apprentice spends roughly 80% of their time on the job (practical application) and 20% on "off-the-job" training. This dedicated study time, mandated as part of the apprenticeship agreement, could be one day a week at a college/training provider, or structured online learning modules completed during work hours.
• Mentorship and Support: The apprentice is assigned both a workplace mentor (a senior colleague) and a training provider assessor. They will have regular check-ins and review sessions to track progress toward their qualification milestones.
• Skill Application: The apprentice will be expected to gradually take ownership of administrative processes, progressing from simple data entry to managing complex tasks, such as coordinating a small event or handling client communications independently, as they gain confidence and competence.
A Typical Week (Monday - Friday)
Monday: Planning & Communication- Clear out weekend emails, update team calendars, prepare agendas for the week. Process timesheets and Update staff on their weekly readings.
Tuesday: Data Management- Input expenses and invoices into the accounting software chase overdue timesheets from colleagues and file all timesheets.
Wednesday: Off-the-Job Training- The apprentice might attend a virtual workshop or a college course.
Thursday: Training Up Date- Update all Training documents, recruitment files and email staff with pending training or documentation.
Friday: Close-out & Process Improvement- Ensure all records are filed correctly for the week, order office supplies, and spend an hour documenting or improving a specific administrative process (e.g., refining the new starter onboarding checklist).