Apprentice Receptionist/Administrator – Widnes

SWRAC; Widnes; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Casual dress

Company pension

Health & wellbeing programme

Private medical insurance

Job summary

SWRAC is hiring an Apprentice Receptionist/Administrator for our Widnes centre. You will work toward a Customer Service Practitioner Level 2 apprenticeship over 12 months, greeting learners and visitors, handling calls, and supporting the team with admin tasks.

Strong IT skills and clear communication are essential. You will work in a friendly team, ensuring a welcoming environment and effective day-to-day operations while training towards the apprenticeship qualifications.

Qualifications

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above) or willingness to work towards the required level
• Willingness and ability to complete the relevant Business Administrative apprenticeship qualification
• Willingness to undertake mandatory organisational training, including safeguarding and compliance training
• Evidence of good IT literacy (e.g. Microsoft Office / Google Workspace)

Responsibilities

• Greet learners, staff, and visitors in a professional and welcoming manner.
• Manage incoming telephone calls and transfer to relevant person promptly.
• Retrieve and distribute voicemail messages in a timely manner.
• Take accurate messages and forward them via email.
• Respond to general enquiries about the organisation.
• Monitor visitor access and ensure sign-in procedures.
• Receive, sort and distribute incoming post and deliveries.
• Manage supply orders and distribute supplies across the centre.
• Administer petty cash.
• Monitor course registers and enrol learners onto courses.
• Assist tutors with enrolling learners and following up with absences.
• Carry out general administrative duties and exam arrangements as required.
• Maintain central job log for ad hoc tasks.
• Set up refreshment areas and keep reception tidy.
• Undertake other reasonable duties requested by management.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Warm, welcoming manner

Clear communication with learners

Organisational skills

Prioritisation under pressure

IT literacy

Teamwork

Education

GCSEs in English and Maths

Willingness to complete Business Administrative apprenticeship

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Email and databases

Job description

At SWRAC, we empower individuals to thrive through practical and relevant educational programs. Our goal is to equip people with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to become resilient, confident, and independent. We aim for them to grow in education, secure employment, or engage in meaningful activities, live healthily, be active and responsible citizens, and ensure their safety.

Location: Widnes, WA8 6DJ

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £24,785 a year

We have an exciting opportunity for an Apprentice Receptionist / Administrator who will work towards a Customer service practitioner Level 2 (GCSE) 12 month qualification. You will be working with a friendly team at our Widnes Centre to really make a difference to young people.

Job Description

• Greet learners, staff, and visitors in a professional and welcoming manner; identify the purpose of their visit and direct them to the appropriate team member or provide assistance as required.
• Manage incoming telephone calls, determine the nature of enquiries, and transfer calls to the relevant person promptly and efficiently.
• Retrieve and distribute voicemail messages in a timely manner.
• Take accurate messages and forward them to relevant team members via email.
• Respond to general enquiries about the organisation, including providing information such as address and directions.
• Monitor visitor access to the premises, ensuring all sign-in and sign-out procedures are followed in line with safeguarding and security requirements.
• Receive, sort, and distribute incoming post and deliveries.
• Manage supply orders, including placing orders, chasing outstanding items, receiving deliveries, and distributing supplies across the centre.
• Administer petty cash in accordance with financial procedures.
• Monitor course registers to ensure they are completed accurately and on time.
• Support tutors with enrolling learners onto courses.
• Assist tutors in following up with learners regarding non-attendance and absences.
• Carry out general administrative duties, including filing, photocopying, scanning, and document collation.
• Provide general administrative support with exam arrangements and preparation, assisting the wider team with administrative tasks during exam weeks as required.
• Maintain and manage a central job log for ad hoc tasks requested by the team, ensuring timely completion.
• Set up and maintain refreshment areas daily, including clearing and cleaning as required.
• Ensure reception and communal areas are clean, tidy, and presentable at all times.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by the management team.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• GCSE’s (or equivalent) in English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above) or willingness to work towards the required level
• Willingness and ability to complete the relevant Business Administrative apprenticeship qualification
• Willingness to undertake mandatory organisational training, including: safeguarding and relevant compliance training
• Evidence of good IT literacy (e.g. Microsoft Office / Google Workspace)

Desirable

• Basic knowledge of MS applications, Outlook, Word, Excel
• Previous safeguarding training or experience working in an education or SEND environment.

Experience

• Experience of working in a customer-facing role
• Previous administrative experience
• Experience of using Microsoft Office and general IT systems
• Experience within an education or SEND environment

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Warm, calm and welcoming manner
• Ability to communicate clearly with students who may have communication differences
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure
• Competent in IT systems, email, databases and telephone systems
• Ability to manage difficult or sensitive situations professionally
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to support with basic administrative tasks across departments

Personal Qualities

• Patient, empathetic and approachable
• Professional and reliable
• Resilient and emotionally intelligent
• Discreet and trustworthy
• Flexible and adaptable
• Positive and solution-focused attitude

Desirable

• Genuine interest in supporting learners with additional needs
• Commitment to inclusive practice

Safeguarding & Compliance

• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students
• Willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS check
• Commitment to safeguarding training and compliance procedures

Benefits

• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Private medical insurance

Ability To Commute/relocate

• Widnes WA8 6DJ: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education

• GCSE or equivalent (required)

SWRAC is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our recruitment and selection practices will reflect this dedication. All successful candidates will undergo Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, along with other relevant employment screening. We are also committed to ensuring genuine equality of opportunity in all aspects of our activities as an employer and educational provider. Please find our full Safeguarding Policy here.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.