Apprentice - Business & Administration - Virtual Schools

Fixed Term, Full Time

£15,435 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: 17th May 2026

Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract opportunity for a period of 18 months.

At Essex County Council, we believe in helping our workforce grow and succeed. That’s why, as part of this role, you’ll have the opportunity to complete an Business Administrator Level 3 apprenticeship. This is a fantastic chance to gain valuable skills, earn a recognised qualification, and set yourself up for a successful future career.

This apprenticeship offers the opportunity to develop a wide range of business support skills while working within a Virtual School in a local authority. The role provides valuable insight into education systems and how the Virtual School works across both education and social care, supporting vulnerable cohorts. It offers a varied and meaningful introduction to multi agency working within children’s services.

Whilst undertaking an apprenticeship within Essex County Council, you can expect to be supported from your first day. You’ll be invited to attend a specific onboarding event, have access to exclusive training material via My Learning platform, enrolled in the apprenticeship channel alongside colleagues on similar paths, invited to frequent gatherings, and offered peer-to-peer guidance. Additionally, you will have the chance to showcase your apprenticeship experience to external audiences. Apprenticeships are a valued career pathway to achieving your ambitions within Essex County Council, whilst gaining a qualification.

Our Level 3 apprenticeship is an advanced apprenticeship – it is the equivalent to two A Levels or T Level. These apprenticeships are a fantastic steppingstone into your preferred career. You’ll work under the guidance of experienced professionals to develop a solid foundation in you chosen profession, while also contributing to the overall goals and objectives of the Essex County Council.

There is every opportunity to progress to further roles and training within Essex County Council. You will have the chance to put forward your ideas, grow your skillset and collaborate with an innovative team in a collaborative environment.

What will you be doing?

With guidance, provide support and engage with different parts of the organisation while interacting with internal or external customers regarding a wide range of activities.
With a focus on adding value, the role a Level 2 or 3 Apprentice is to contribute to the efficiency of an organisation, through support of functional areas, working across teams and resolving issues as requested.
Assisting colleagues with programmes of work to ensure timely delivery. Additionally, participate in and contribute to specific programme areas. Supporting the implementation of projects and initiatives by assisting in the coordination of tasks, tracking progress, and ensuring that timelines are met.
Develop an awareness of emerging industry trends and best practices, incorporating relevant knowledge into daily tasks and responsibilities.
Undertake the task of delivering administrative support across a wide array of activities, to ensure effective operations across diverse functions.
Collaborate with colleagues and supervisors to ensure that work is completed efficiently and accurately.
Continuously learn and develop skills through on-the-job training and attending relevant workshops or courses.
Collaborate with mentors and senior team members to actively seek opportunities for professional development, tailored to both personal aspirations and organisational goals.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

About You:

Educated to RFQ Level 2 (GCSE) or equivalent by experience. Commitment to study Level 2 / 3 Apprenticeship and demonstrate a good work ethic.
Ability to reach a Level 2 Functional Skills in both Maths & English by the End Point Assessment (EPA), if not already achieved.
Ability to deliver effective duties; well organised, reliable and able to meet deadlines, whilst appropriately handling confidential and sensitive information.
Excellent communication skills are essential as well as an ability to build and establish relationships. Good phone manner is needed along with a friendly approach.
Highly motivated individual with excellent attention to detail, a result orientated approach and continually seeking to improve.
Experience of working with IT systems including Microsoft Office and a willingness to learn new systems is important.
Experience of working effectively as part of a team.
Experience in a working environment is helpful but not essential. A positive, proactive can-do attitude is a must.

Essential Requirements for the role:

You will need to be 16 years of age at the start of the apprenticeship.
You will need to have the right to work and study in England.
You will have been ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for three years before the apprenticeship start date.
You cannot have previously completed a qualification that is Level 2 or above in field that is related to Customer Services or Business Administration.
As apprentices have employed status you must have the right to permanently live, work and study in the UK. Apprenticeships are not covered by student visas.

Please note that we must be provided with your GCSE certificate at the final stage of the recruitment process. If you have international equivalent qualifications a NARIC Statement of Comparability must be provided. If you do not already hold one you can purchase online – you can find more information here Statement of Comparability (enic.org.uk).

To read more about our business area, please visit: Education

Entry to Work

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. In addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As apprentices have employed status you must have the right to permanently live, work and study in the UK. Apprenticeships are not covered by student visas. If you are shortlisted for an interview, our training provider will also need to assess your previous learning records and check your completed qualification to ensure eligibility for the apprenticeship. Unfortunately, you cannot have previously completed a qualification that is at the same level or above in field that is related to this discipline.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email ami.fosker@essex.gov.uk

Downloads

Pay and Reward | Our Ways of Working | About Us | Organisation Behaviours