Business Support Apprentice – Chief Executive’s Office (S2501) - Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Summary

The successful candidate will be responsible for the preparation of agendas, letters and correspondence, managing inbox queries and responses, diary management, Telephone queries, and ad hoc help to other services within the council when required.

Annual wage

£14,566.15 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£14,566.15 for 12 months, £22,656 for the remaining 6 months.

Training course: Business administrator

Hours: 37 Hours per week - Monday to Friday. Shifts to be confirmed.
37 hours a week

Start date: Monday 8 September 2025

Duration: 18 Months

Positions available: 1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Principal Duties

1. To be responsible for providing efficient and effective administrative and/or customer service support to respond to service specific needs including:

Meeting and Greeting high level visitors in a courteous and professional manner
Become confident over time in providing basic cover in the absence of fellow staff
Postal duties
Photocopying and collating documents
Taking concise and accurate telephone messages
Making telephone calls under direction
Inputting data onto computer systems
Using IT packages for word processing, spreadsheet and database applications.
Servicing meetings
Organising and servicing events
Dealing with customer requirements in a courteous and professional manner, taking advice from the supervisor when appropriate.
Maintaining total confidentiality at all times.

2. To attend training and work to achieve the agreed Apprenticeship training programme.

Secondary Duties

To be familiar with a wide range of IT systems.
To ensure the effective use of office equipment and machinery and to make use of such facilities.
To undertake word processing and other administrative/customer services work as required.
To assist when required in activities to promote and publicise Apprenticeships within the Council.
To participate in council programmes of in-service training.
To undertake such other duties and responsibilities of an equivalent nature as may be determined by the Head of Service (or nominated representative) in consultation with the apprentice and if she/he wishes with her/his trade union representative.

Where you’ll work

Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, OL16 1XU

Check your travel to work

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

ROCHDALE TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED

Your training course

Business administrator

Equal to Level 3 (A level)

Your training plan

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE 5 GCSE's (Including Maths & English) (Grade Grade 4/C or above) essential

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Team working
Proud
Pioneering + Open
Committed to gaining Skills
Passionate

Other requirements

Should you wish to apply for this vacancy, you will be invited to fill in the Rochdale Borough Council Application form at Rochdale Training. Please keep an eye on your emails as our recruitment team will be in touch to invite you to one of our sessions. Apprentice rate: Apprentices who undertake Level 3 apprenticeships are paid a salary of 14,566.15 for 12 months and equivalent to Grade 1 SCP 2 currently £22,656 for the remaining months of the contract (18-month contract). Interview Date: Wednesday 2nd July 2025. Induction date - Monday 8th September 2025. Should you apply for 2 vacancies (maximum), we strongly encourage you to attend both interviews and declare this. It will not count against you, and all teams/panels will be aware. This expression of interest is the first stage of your application. The Authority operates a Smoke-Free Policy for all its employees and applies to any building and associated grounds within near the building, which is wholly owned, leased, or operated and occupied by Rochdale Borough Council.

About this company

Rochdale Council builds success and prosperity with our citizens and partners, whilst protecting our vulnerable people.

https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.