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ST0070/01
Business administrators have a highly transferable set of knowledge, skills and behaviours that can be applied in all sectors. This includes small and large businesses alike; from the public sector, private sector and charitable sector. The role may involve working independently or as part of a team and will involve developing, implementing, maintaining and improving administrative services. Business administrators develop key skills and behaviours to support their own progression towards management responsibilities.****
The responsibilities of the role are to support and engage with different parts of the organisation and interact with internal or external customers. With a focus on adding value, the role of business administrator contributes to the efficiency of an organisation, through support of functional areas, working across teams and resolving issues as requested. The flexibility and responsiveness required allows the apprentice to develop a wide range of skills.
The business administrator is expected to deliver their responsibilities efficiently and with integrity – showing a positive attitude. The role involves demonstrating strong communication skills (both written and verbal) and adopting a proactive approach to developing skills. The business administrator is also expected to show initiative, managing priorities and own time, problem-solving skills, decision-making and the potential for people management responsibilities through mentoring or coaching others.
| Skills | What is required (advancing key skills to support progression to management) |
|---|---|
| IT | Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required. |
| Record and document production | Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others’ work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation’s procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks. |
| Decision making | Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate. |
| Interpersonal skills | Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge. |
| Communications | Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department. |
| Quality | Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues. |
| Planning and organisation | Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation. |
| Project management | Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required. |
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| Knowledge | What is required (in-depth knowledge of organisation and wider business environment). |
|---|---|
| The organisation | Understands organisational purpose, activities, aims, values, vision for the future, resources and the way that the political/economic environment affects the organisation. |
| Value of their skills | Knows organisational structure and demonstrates understanding of how their work benefits the organisation. Knows how they fit within their team and recognises how their skills can help them to progress their career. |
| Stakeholders | Has a practical knowledge of managing stakeholders and their differing relationships to an organisation. This includes internal and external customers, clients and/or suppliers. Liaises with internal/external customers, suppliers or stakeholders from inside or outside the UK. |
| Relevant regulation | Understands laws and regulations that apply to their role including data protection, health & safety, compliance etc. Supports the company in applying the regulations. |
| Policies | Understands the organisation’s internal policies and key business policies relating to sector. |
| Business fundamentals | Understands the applicability of business principles such as managing change, business finances and project management. |
| Processes | Understands the organisation’s processes, e.g. making payments or processing customer data. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Applying a solutions-based approach to improve business processes and helping define procedures. Understands how to administer billing, process invoices and purchase orders. |
| External environment factors | Understands relevant external factors e.g. market forces, policy & regulatory changes, supply chain etc. and the wider business impact). Where necessary understands the international/global market in which the employing organisation is placed. |
| Behaviours | What is required (Role-model behaviours and positive contribution to culture). |
| Professionalism | Behaves in a professional way. This includes: personal presentation, respect, respecting and encouraging diversity to cater for wider audiences, punctuality and attitude to colleagues, customers and key stakeholders. Adheres to the organisation’s code of conduct for professional use of social media. Acts as a role model, contributing to team cohesion and productivity – representing the positive aspects of team culture and respectfully challenging inappropriate prevailing cultures. |
| Personal qualities | Shows exemplary qualities that are valued including integrity, reliability, self-motivation, being pro-active and a positive attitude. Motivates others where responsibility is shared. |
| Managing performance | Takes responsibility for their own work, accepts feedback in a positive way, uses initiative and shows resilience. Also takes responsibility for their own development, knows when to ask questions to complete a task and informs their line manager when a task is complete. Performs thorough self-assessments of their work and complies with the organisation’s procedures. |
| Adaptability | Is able to accept and deal with changing priorities related to both their own work and to the organisation. |
| Responsibility | Demonstrates taking responsibility for team performance and quality of projects delivered. Takes a clear interest in seeing that projects are successfully completed and customer requests handled appropriately. Takes initiative to develop own and others’ skills and behaviours. |
Engages and fosters relationships with suppliers and partner organisations.
Duration
The apprenticeship will typically take between 12 and 18 months to complete.
Level
This apprenticeship standard is at Level 3.
Where a business administrator has not already achieved Level 2 English and Maths, they must do so before taking the end-point assessment.
The administration role may be a gateway to further career opportunities, such as management or senior support roles.
Testimonials ‘Many thanks to everyone at WS (Training) who helped me through my Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship Programme. The course has prepared me for the workplace and how to act and how not to act. I will be applying my skills I learned into my day-to-day job.’ James, G’s Fresh.
‘Ever since meeting my assessor from WS Training, I have had amazing support and guidance. My assessor has always been someone I have got along with and felt happy talking about my issues and concerns with. Over the last couple of months I have been furloughed, and I couldn’t have asked for someone more caring and supportive helping me through this time! Thank you’ James Wilkin, Ashtons Legal.
‘Going into my apprenticeship, I was very apprehensive due to a history of anxiety, low confidence and self-esteem. My tutor, Christine, provided bespoke support that suited my needs all whilst assisting me in developing my skills and encouraging me to challenge and stretch myself… I now have the skills and confidence to strive towards a brighter and more successful future. I’m no longer afraid of my future because I have proved that I can do it.’