Business Support and Research Assistant Apprentice

Derbyshire County Council; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

National Minimum Wage

Flexible working arrangements

LGPS membership

Learning and development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Chesterfield Borough Council is offering a Business Support and Research Assistant Apprenticeship. The role is office-based, focused on administration, data entry, record keeping, and customer service for tenants and stakeholders.

It combines blended learning with practical workplace experience and progresses to a permanent business support position upon successful completion. The apprenticeship includes live workshops, independent study, progress reviews, and ongoing assessments, with National

Qualifications

• Good IT skills using Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Professional and friendly telephone manner.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to work on your own initiative and manage workload.
• Willingness to learn new systems and processes.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and update records and databases.
• Carry out data entry and information checks.
• Support the team with general administrative tasks.
• Use Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and other systems.
• Answer telephone enquiries from tenants and stakeholders.
• Assist with research and information gathering.
• Prepare documents, reports and correspondence.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Phone manner

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Initiative

Willingness to learn

Education

GCSE English (C/4 or above)

GCSE Maths (C/4 or above)

Job description

Closing date: 13 September 2026

Are you organised, eager to learn, and looking to start your career in business administration?

We have an exciting opportunity for a business support and research assistant apprentice to join our housing asset management team.

This role is mainly office-based, with a strong focus on administration (approximately 99% of the role). You will support the team with data entry, record keeping, research tasks, and general business support activities. You will also speak to tenants by telephone, helping with enquiries and ensuring excellent customer service.

What you'll do:

• maintain and update records and databases
• carry out data entry and information checks
• support the team with general administrative tasks
• use Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and other systems
• answer telephone enquiries from tenants and stakeholders
• assist with research and information gathering
• prepare documents, reports and correspondence

What we're looking for:

• good IT skills and confidence using Microsoft Office
• excellent communication and customer service skills
• a professional and friendly manner on the telephone
• strong attention to detail
• good organisational skills
• ability to work on your own initiative and manage your workload
• willingness to learn new systems and processes
• will typically hold GCSE grades C/4 or above in English and Maths

Your apprenticeship will combine structured learning with practical workplace experience.

You will:

• take part in blended learning through live workshops, online learning and workplace experience
• complete independent study and work-based projects between learning sessions
• have regular progress reviews with your skills coach and line manager
• complete ongoing assessments to support your development and prepare you for the apprenticeship assessment

What's in it for you?

Alongside gaining valuable work experience, you will study towards a nationally recognised Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship.

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship and demonstration of the required skills and performance, you will progress into the permanent role of Business Support and Research Assistant.

You’ll also benefit from

• national Minimum Wage (based on age)
• flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance
• membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• ongoing learning and development opportunities
• a supportive team environment committed to helping you succeed

This apprenticeship offers a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience while developing the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in administration and business support.

Candidates must possess the necessary right to work authorisation to enable them to work for Chesterfield Borough Council. Regrettably, we are unable to provide sponsorship or assume sponsorship of an employment visa at this juncture.

Provisional interview date: 25 September 2026