Business Administrator Apprentice

The apprentice will support Burford Town Council by assisting with administration, record‑keeping, and public enquiries. They will help administer projects, support the Council’s communication with the public through the website and social media, support the running of community events and provide frontline support to residents. They will work closely with the Town Clerk and learn how local government operates, develop professional office skills, and contribute to community services while progressing through structured training.

Responsibilities include:

Communications: assisting in the production of social media content, website updates and newsletters, liaising with other statutory authorities and external parties, and our volunteers Office presence: meeting members of the public, facilities users and councillors, signposting and helping with enquiries Administrative: preparation of reports and documents for the council and committees, other statutory authorities, and the public Community Engagement: helping to support the work of the Clerk with community projects Event Management: assisting the organisation with events and meetings Facilities Management: working with the Clerk and the Town Maintenance team assisting in the management of buildings, sports grounds, open spaces, community assets Filing: assisting in the upkeep of office files and management of office Governance: understanding how local councils work and the laws which govern their processes, assisting with preparation of legal papers for meetings Health and Safety: assisting in the work of health and safety at Burford Town Council, including reviewing the risk register on a regular basis and highlighting risks to council Charities: assisting in the routine administration of the two charities that the Town Council is responsible for

Training:

Duration:

15 months practical training period, plus 3 months for End Point Assessment

Delivery model:

Work-based training with your employer 10 days professional training at college Regular meetings with your training coordinator to monitor progress and well-being Approximately 12 on-site or/and Teams assessment visits per year Apprentices will need to complete a minimum of 348 hours of off-the-job training during their apprenticeship

Qualifications included:

Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship

End Point Assessment:

Knowledge test Portfolio based interview Project/improvement presentation

Training Outcome:

With 9000 town and parish councils across England and Wales, an experienced and qualified Town Clerk has a wide career opportunity in front of them. From a part time role in a small parish as the only employee, to a full-time role managing 50 staff and a £2M annual budget, the role of the Clerk has community at its heart.

Professional opportunities:

There are a number of sector specific professional qualifications: Level 2 Intro to Local Council Administration (ILCA) Could be undertaken as part of the apprenticeship programme Financial Intro to Local Council Administration (FiLCA) Could be undertaken as part of the apprenticeship programme

Employer Description:

Burford Town Council has eleven councillors who are elected by the residents of Burford to represent them. Members are responsible for making the decisions that will deliver a wide range of objectives to the town.

Burford Town Council operates within a Code of Conduct and has also signed up to the

Civility & Respect pledge, believing that these should be at the heart of public life and that good governance is fundamental to ensuring an effective and well-functioning democracy.

Burford Town Council is funded primarily by taxpayers’ money and therefore has a huge responsibility to manage and spend those funds appropriately and with diligence.

 

What does the Town Clerk do?

The Clerk has a statutory duty to carry out all the functions of the Council, and to issue all the governance required by law; in Burford the Clerk is also the Responsible Financial Officer and manages all financial records and the careful administration of BTC’s finances.

The Clerk is responsible for ensuring that the decisions made by the Council are carried out. They must also advise BTC on its legal duties and limitations and produce the information required for making effective decisions and implementing those decisions. They are accountable to the Council for the effective management of its resources and reports to them as and when required.

Working Hours :
Four working days a week, 9.00am - 5.00pm. Must include Mon, Wed and Friday (This includes time for college).

Skills:
Communication skills,IT skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Problem solving skills,Administrative skills,Team working,Time management skills,Professional,Willingness to learn,Discretion and confidentiality,Adaptable