Location: Manchester
Wage: £19k P/A
Apprenticeship: Business Administrator Level 3

Kickstart your career in business administration while helping support students, families and the day-to-day running of a busy college.

We’re looking for an organised, reliable and friendly Business Administration Apprentice to join our college team.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain real workplace experience while working towards a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship. You’ll work at the heart of the college, supporting essential processes across student attendance, enrolment, finance and general administration while helping ensure students and their families receive a professional and responsive service.

You’ll be supported throughout by your line manager and apprenticeship training provider, developing valuable skills, knowledge and confidence as you take the first step towards a long-term career in business administration.

If you’re organised, enjoy helping people and take pride in getting the details right, this could be the perfect opportunity to start your career.

What you’ll be doing

Attendance and Timetable Monitoring

• Log student arrival and departure times accurately on the attendance spreadsheet each day.

• Monitor students' adherence to their daily timetable, flagging any concerns to the relevant staff member promptly.

Student Support Administration

• Process applications for student bus passes, liaising with relevant transport providers and families as required.

• Manage the distribution of student lunch money, ensuring accurate records are maintained.

• Collect and process parent/carer forms and supporting evidence for lunch money applications, including

Universal Credit documentation.

• Draft standard letters for parents and carers confirming that their child is in full-time education, for use in council tax reduction or Universal Credit applications, submitting drafts for sign-off before issue.

Health, Safety and Compliance

• Carry out monthly checks of all first aid boxes, recording the contents of each kit accurately and reporting any items that need replacing.

Finance Administration

• Reconcile petty cash, ensuring all receipts are accounted for and records are accurate.

• Scan and file petty cash receipts and send completed reconciliations to the accounts team in a timely manner.

Records and Enrolment

• Scan and file student enrolment documents, ensuring all paperwork is complete and stored correctly.

• Assist with gathering evidence of students' prior qualifications as part of the enrolment process.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date student records, flagging any gaps or missing information to the relevant team member.

General Administration

• Provide general administrative support to the team as directed by your line manager.

• Handle incoming queries from parents, carers, and students in a professional and friendly manner, escalating where appropriate.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of administrative processes, suggesting ideas where you spot an opportunity to work more efficiently.

What we’re looking for

• Organised, reliable and punctual.

• A confident communicator with good written and verbal skills.

• Comfortable using computers and willing to learn new systems.

• Friendly, professional and approachable when communicating with students, families and colleagues.

• Detail-focused, with a commitment to accuracy.

• Able to manage tasks responsibly and ask for support when needed.

• Adaptable and able to respond positively to changing priorities.

• Committed to inclusion, safeguarding and supporting the welfare of young people.

• Keen to learn, develop new skills and build a long-term career in business administration.

• No previous experience is required — a positive attitude and willingness to learn are what matter most.

What you’ll gain

• A nationally recognised Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship.

• Hands-on experience supporting the day-to-day operations of a busy college.

• Ongoing support from your line manager and apprenticeship training provider.

• Valuable experience across student support, attendance, enrolment, finance and administration.

• The opportunity to develop professional communication, organisation and time management skills.

• Practical experience using Microsoft Office and other workplace systems.

• An understanding of important workplace procedures, including data protection, health and safety, safeguarding and confidentiality.

• The opportunity to build confidence, take on real responsibility and develop highly transferable skills.

• A supportive working environment where you’ll be encouraged to learn, contribute ideas and grow throughout your apprenticeship.

• This is an exciting opportunity to gain practical experience, achieve a recognised qualification and build the foundations for a rewarding career in business administration — all while playing an important role in supporting students, families and the wider college community.