Business Administrator Level 3

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, across the public, private and charitable sectors. The role may involve working independently or as part of a team, and will include developing, implementing, maintaining and improving administrative services. Business Administrators develop key skills and behaviours to support their own progression towards management responsibilities.

Learning will be built around the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) as set out in the apprenticeship standard. Examples include:

Knowledge

• Understand organisational purpose.
• Have knowledge of managing stakeholders and their differing relationships to an organisation.
• Understand laws and regulations that apply to their role, including data protection.
• Understand the organisation's internal policies and key business policies.
• Understand the applicability of business principles such as managing change, business finances and project management.
• Understand relevant external factors such as policy and regulatory changes, supply chain, and where necessary, the international or global market in which the employing organisation operates.

Skills

• Be skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation.
• Produce accurate records and documents, including emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals.
• Build and maintain positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation.
• Demonstrate good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms.
• Use relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report.

Behaviours

• Behave in a professional way.
• Show exemplary qualities that are valued, including integrity, reliability, self-motivation, being proactive and having a positive attitude.
• Be able to deal with changing priorities.
• Demonstrate taking responsibility for team performance.

A blend of on-the-job and academic learning

Most learning is on-the-job, guided by your employer and Instructor-Mentor. You will attend Buxton Campus every 6-8 weeks and receive regular workplace visits from your Instructor-Mentor for observations, professional discussions, and progress reviews.

How you are assessed

The Apprenticeship Assessment is the final stage of every apprenticeship. It checks overall competence, not just individual tasks, and gives apprentices the chance to demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) they have developed. For this apprenticeship, there are three elements; 

• Knowledge test
• A professional discussion with questions based on the portfolio of evidence that is collated throughout the apprenticeship 
• A presentation based on a project the apprentice has completed as part of their apprenticeship 

• Develop a wide range of highly transferable skills
  You’ll gain skills in communication, organisation, problem-solving, IT, and document handling that work in any sector—public, private or charity. 

• Real responsibility and impact
  You’ll support multiple teams, interact with external/internal customers, resolve issues, and help improve organisational efficiency. You won’t just observe—you’ll contribute. 

• Pathway to leadership, senior or specialist roles
  This apprenticeship prepares you for supervisory or specialist roles - mentoring others, making decisions, and improving processes. It’s a stepping stone if you want more responsibility or want to specialise in roles such as Human Resources, Sales or Operations. 

• Earning while learning
  You’ll get a recognised Level 3 qualification over 12-18 months, while working - no tuition fees and you learn on the job with support from your employer and the University. 

We require learners to have a minimum of four GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including Maths and English.

Additionally:

• You must have the right to work in the UK and have lived in the UK for at least the past three years.
• As this is an apprenticeship, you will also require suitable employment to undertake the programme.

Apprenticeships are funded by either the employer or the government; apprentices do not pay for their training.

Contact us

FE & Skills Apprenticeship Team

• Email: feapprenticeships@derby.ac.uk
• Phone: 0800 074 0099