Apprentice Receptionist/Administrator

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.

At SWRAC Specialist Independent College, we support individuals to thrive through real-life and relevant education programmes. Our intention is to provide everyone with the skills, knowledge and experience to:

– Be independent and resilient
– Grow into education, employment or meaningful activity
– Live healthily and sustainably
– Develop and maintain healthy relationships
– Grow socially and contribute positively to communities and local economies
– Be safe

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:

1. 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.

2. Experience

Desirable

· 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

4. Skills & Abilities

Desirable

• 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

5. Personal Qualities

Essential

• 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

6. Safeguarding & Compliance

Essential

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

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 note: 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.

Pay: £24,785.00 per year

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)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person