APPRENTICE BUSINESS SUPPORT OFFICER
-
Company: SOUTHWATER PARISH COUNCIL
-
Location: SOUTHWATER, RH13 9LA
-
Type: Apprenticeship
-
Salary: £24,800.00 per year
-
Sector: Business and administration
-
Ref: NAS-2000030416
-
Application Deadline Date: 04/06/2026
-
Start Date: 03/08/2026
-
Positions Available: 1
-
Working Week: Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 4:30pm and Friday, 8.30am to 4.00pm, including a minimum of 6 hours per week of off the job apprenticeship training during paid working time.
Brief Description
Join Southwater Parish Council as an Apprentice Business Support Officer, working towards a Level 3 Business Administrator qualification while gaining hands on experience in customer service, bookings, finance and office support in a Gold Award local council, with potential to progress into a permanent role.
Training to be Provided
- Off the job training will be delivered by City Skills Limited (UKPRN: 10065422) via a weekly day release model. The apprentice will normally attend training one day per week online, depending on the provider’s timetable
- On the job training will take place at Southwater Parish Council’s offices at Beeson House, Southwater. The apprentice will be supported by their line manager and colleagues, with regular one to one meetings, mentoring and job shadowing. Training will be planned to ensure the apprentice receives at least 20 percent off the job training time across the programme
Future Prospects
- This is a fixed term apprenticeship position for the duration of the apprenticeship
- The Council’s working assumption is that, subject to satisfactory performance, funding and business need, the role will convert to a permanent Business Support Officer position on completion of the apprenticeship
- Any such confirmation would be made nearer the end of the apprenticeship and cannot be absolutely guaranteed
- From there CILCA qualification could be studied and completed presenting opportunities to more senior roles
Vacancy Detail
- Act as first point of contact at Beeson House, greeting visitors and handling phone and email enquiries
- Support day to day office administration, including filing, scanning and managing electronic records
- Help prepare, format and collate agendas, reports and papers for council and committee meetings
- Upload approved minutes, policies and other documents to the council website and keep key information up to date
- Assist with logging and tracking resident enquiries, complaints, Freedom of Information and subject access requests
- Help administer room and space bookings at Beeson House, including responding to enquiries and maintaining the bookings diary
- Issue standard hire agreements, record returns and help ensure rooms are set up and ready for hirers
- Support basic finance administration, for example providing booking information for invoices, recording payments and simple data entry
- Provide administrative support for community events and engagement activities, such as booking lists and attendance records
- Attend regular off the job training and complete tasks and assignments for the Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship
Other Information
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Confident using IT, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Organised, with the ability to follow instructions and manage simple tasks to deadlines.
Positive attitude, reliability and a genuine willingness to learn.
Will be required to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.