Risk and Assurance Apprentice

British Geological Survey; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

British Geological Survey is offering a Fixed-Term Business Administrator Apprentice role in Keyworth, Nottingham. You will train in risk management, assurance activities and business improvement while gaining a Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship.

Join the Risk & Assurance team to develop practical skills and contribute to key organisational processes under experienced guidance. Start date November 2026 with a salary of £19,514 per annum.

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Organisational skills and ability to work in a team.
• Good attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
• Experience using MS Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate internal and external audits and follow-up actions.
• Maintain and develop management system documentation and records.
• Assist with risk management activities, including updating the risk register.
• Prepare reports and performance information for leadership and governance boards.
• Support business continuity, health and safety and assurance processes.

Skills

Written and verbal communication

Organisation

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

GCSE Maths & English (4/C or above)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Salary: £19,514 per annum (rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)

Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 20 months

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours

Location: British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG

Closing Date: 23:55, Sunday 4th October 2026

Start Date: November 2026

Positions Available: 1

Begin a career in business administration with BGS as a Business Administrator Apprentice. Develop practical skills in risk management, assurance activities, and business improvement within a world-leading scientific organisation.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for Business Administrator Apprentice to join the Risk & Assurance team in British Geological Survey (BGS) in Nottingham. This is a fantastic opportunity to start a career in business administration while gaining valuable workplace experience.

Working within the Risk & Assurance team, the successful candidate will develop practical skills in risk management, business continuity, audit coordination, record management, and business improvement activities. Supported by experienced colleagues, they will contribute to key organisational processes while working towards a nationally recognised Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship qualification.

About the Department

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre that is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey that provides a core science mission to inform government of science related to the subsurface and its interfaces and also undertakes applied research for solutions to earth and environmental processes, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI as well as through research grants and via private sector contracts.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Business Administrator Apprentice, you'll support a range of risk, assurance and business improvement activities, including:

• Coordinating internal and external audits, assessments and follow-up actions.
• Supporting the maintenance and development of management system documentation and records.
• Assisting with risk management activities, including maintaining the corporate risk register.
• Helping to prepare reports and performance information for senior leadership and governance boards.
• Working with teams across BGS to support business continuity, health and safety, environmental and assurance processes

What You'll Learn

Alongside your role, you'll undertake the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship with Access Training. As part of the apprenticeship, you'll develop knowledge, skills and behaviours in:

• Business administration and organisational processes
• Risk and assurance principles
• Data management, analysis and reporting
• Professional communication and stakeholder engagement
• Planning, prioritisation and project support
• Record keeping and information management
• Using business systems and digital tools
• Working effectively within a professional office environment

You'll also benefit from:

• A blend of on-the-job learning and off-the-job training
• Regular one-to-one coaching sessions with your Access Training tutor
• Support to build a portfolio of evidence throughout the programme
• The opportunity to lead a work-based improvement project as part of your End Point Assessment
• A nationally recognised Level 3 qualification

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is organised, motivated and eager to develop a career in finance and accounting.

You'll need:

• GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent)
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Organisation\al skills and ability to work as part of a team
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• The ability to work towards set deadlines
• Experience using MS Office tools
• Good organisational and problem-solving skills
• A willingness to learn and develop new skills

To be eligible to be considered for this apprenticeship, you must:

• Have evidence of Maths and English GCSE at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
• Have lived in the UK and/or EU for 3 consecutive years prior to the apprenticeship start date and have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship, including the end-point assessment. Please check your eligibility here.
• Have a valid and eligible residency status, the right to work in the UK, and be able to complete the full apprenticeship programme, including the End-Point Assessment (EPA). Applications from candidates with the listed time-limited visas will be considered on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with our apprenticeship training provider. Eligibility will be assessed to ensure that visa requirements align with the apprenticeship programme's duration and funding rules.
• Confirm that this apprenticeship offers substantive new skills and knowledge and that you have not already achieved an equivalent or higher-level qualification in a similar or related subject.

We may share applicant details with the training provider as part of the apprenticeship eligibility assessment process.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a sufficient number of applications be received.