INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIP IN BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP? An Apprenticeship allows the apprentice to gain technical knowledge and real practical experience, along with functional and personal skills, required for their immediate job and future career. These are acquired through a mix of learning in the workplace, formal off the job training and the opportunity to practice and embed new skills in a real work context. On completion of the Apprenticeship the apprentice will be able to undertake the full range of duties, in the range of circumstances appropriate to the job, confidently and competently. THE BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION APPRENTICESHIP This apprenticeship framework provides a vocational pathway into the profession of Business and Administration. Ensuring that there are people who have the skills, knowledge and competencies to support business systems, processes and services and who can contribute to making businesses more efficient and productive. There are 3 apprenticeship pathways to choose from: Pathway 1: Business and Administration Pathway 2: Legal Administration Pathway 3: Medical Administration BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION Around 4.5 million people help to keep businesses running in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Businesses face a number of challenges to replace those who leave or retire and to up skill the existing workforce. Amongst these challenges are: Technological change Globalisation Increasing demand for skilled Business & Administration staff Skills Shortages Administrators need a broad range of skills to work efficiently and to help increase business productivity. Skills shortages identified by organisations include a lack of office and administration skills, customer- handling skills, technical and practical skills, oral communication skills and IT skills, all of which are covered within the Business & Administration Apprenticeship. This Apprenticeship uses employer led, up to date, flexible qualifications, which meet the changing skill needs of employers. It builds in softer-skills such as communication, team working, interpersonal skills and the ability to reflect on personal learning. APPRENTICESHIP ROLES Intermediate apprentices may work in roles such as: Administrators Office juniors Receptionists Medical receptionists Junior legal secretaries Junior medical secretaries Advanced apprentices may work in roles such as: Administration executives/officers Administration team leaders 1
Personal assistants Secretaries (including legal or medical secretaries) Tasks undertaken by apprentices will vary depending on the level and role in which they are employed. Tasks may include: Producing documents Preparing notes Organising and co-ordinating events and meetings Developing and delivering presentations Providing reception services Using office equipment Setting up and maintaining filing systems Using a variety of software packages Updating information Managing projects At more advanced levels, tasks may include: Overseeing operational activities Implementing change within organisations Managing teams Monitoring risk Agreeing budgets APPRENTICESHIP OBJECTIVES The main objectives of this Apprenticeship are to: Build a competent Business & Administration workforce, providing the organisation with staff who will support the increase of productivity and efficiency Equip individuals with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to undertake Business & Administration roles in a range of business settings Provide apprentices with an opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and experience they will need to progress into roles with additional responsibilities and onto further and higher education, if they wish to do so. PROGRESSION FROM THIS APPRENTICESHIP Progression from the Business & Administration (Pathway 1) and Legal Administration (Pathway 2) Intermediate Apprenticeship Intermediate apprentices, with support and opportunities in the workplace, can progress onto: Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Business & Administration general administrative, legal or medical pathways Other level 3 Advanced Apprenticeships such as Customer Service or Management Advanced Diplomas in a range of related sectors Further education to undertake management, business related or other qualifications With additional training, Intermediate apprentices may be able to progress in their careers to roles including administration executive, administration team leader, office supervisor, personal assistant, secretary or a wide range of other Business & Administration roles. Progression from the Business & Administration; Medical Administration (Pathway 3) Intermediate Apprenticeship Intermediate apprentices, with support and opportunities in the workplace, can progress onto: 2
Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Business & Administration general administrative or medical pathways Other level 3 Advanced Apprenticeships such as Customer Service or Management Advanced Diplomas in a range of related sectors Further education programmes for Medical Administrative Secretaries, Medical Office Managers and Medical Records Transcriptors. With additional training, Intermediate apprentices may be able to progress in their careers to roles including medical secretary, administration team leader, office supervisor, personal assistant or a wide range of other Business & Administration roles. Progression from the Advanced Apprenticeship in Business & Administration (Pathway 1) and Legal Administration (Pathway 2) Advanced apprentices, with support and opportunities in the workplace, can progress onto: Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship in Business & Professional Administration Further or higher education to undertake business related or other qualifications, including Foundation Degrees in areas such as Business, Business Management, and Business Administration A range of Business and Management undergraduate programmes A range of Business Professional Qualifications at level 4 and above With additional training, advanced apprentices may be able to progress in their careers to roles including Office Manager, Administration Team Leader, Personal Assistant or a wide range of managerial roles within business. Progression from the Business & Administration; Medical Administration (Pathway 3) Advanced Apprenticeship Level 3 apprentices, with support and opportunities in the workplace, can progress onto: Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship in Business & Professional Administration Further or higher education to undertake business related or other qualifications, including Foundation Degrees in Business and Business Management and Health Administration A range of Business and Management and other undergraduate programmes, such as Medical Secretary, Medical Office Management and Medical Records Transcription A range of Business or Medical Professional Qualifications, such as the Level 5 Certificate or Diploma in Primary Care and Health Management With additional training, advanced apprentices may be able to progress in their careers to roles including Medical Practice Manager, Senior Medical Secretary, Office Manager or a wide range of managerial roles within Business & Administration BENEFITS OF THE APPRENTICESHIP Development of generic skills as all of the skills from customer services to communication and team working are essential parts of the apprenticeship and the apprentices will be required to learn, use and practice these skills both by obtaining qualifications and studying for both the competence and knowledge elements of the programme. The apprenticeship will contribute to a better skilled workforce through a tailored programme of study for the apprentice, and the employer. The employer will have an apprentice who will not only have the soft skills but also the specific technical skills to work and progress within the industry. The framework will provide clear progression to further specialist courses allowing continuing professional development, particularly in business and administration areas. 3
COMPONENTS OF THE BUSINESS ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIP NVQ Level 2 (Intermediate) Certificate or 3 (Advanced) Diploma in Business and Administration Technical Certificate Level 2 (Intermediate) or 3 (Advanced) pathway dependent Employee rights and responsibilities (Embedded) Functional skills (Literacy, Mathematics and ICT) LOGISTICS OF THE APPRENTICESHIP Duration: The intermediate apprenticeship needs to run for a minimum of 12 months, however hours per week will affect the duration; it is recommended that the advanced apprenticeship lasts for at least 18 months to 2 years. Hours per week: 30 hours a week QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE FOR THE EDEXCEL LEVEL 2 NVQ CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION (500/9636/9) 21 credits The learner must complete a minimum of 21 credits, of which at least 14 credits must be selected from: level 2 units: 9 credits must be completed from Group A Mandatory Units A minimum of 7 credits from Group B Optional Units (Pathway Dependent) A maximum of 5 credits from Group C Optional Units (Pathway Dependent) (See Edexcel Website for further details: http://www.edexcel.com/quals/nvq-competencebased-qcf/bus-admin/pages/default.asp) Unit Group A Mandatory units Level Credit reference F/601/2467 Unit 1: Manage own Performance in a Business Environment 2 2 L/601/2469 Unit 2: Improve own Performance in a Business Environment 2 2 F/601/2470 Unit 3: Work in a Business Environment 2 2 D/601/2475 Unit 4: Communicate in a Business Environment 2 3 QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE FOR THE EDEXCEL LEVEL 3 NVQ DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION (500/9421/X) 40 credits The learner must complete a minimum of 40 credits, of which at least 27 credits must come from units at Level 3: 13 credits must be completed from Group A Mandatory Unit A minimum of 14 credits must be completed from Group B Optional Units (Pathway dependent) A maximum of 13 credits may be completed from Group C Optional Units (Pathway dependent) (See Edexcel Website for further details: http://www.edexcel.com/quals/nvq-competencebased-qcf/bus-admin/pages/default.asp) Unit Group A Mandatory units Level Credit reference L/601/2519 Unit 1: Manage own Performance in a Business Environment 3 12 F/601/2520 Unit 2: Evaluate and Improve own Performance in a Business Environment 3 22 J/601/2521 Unit 3: Work in a Business Environment 4 21 K/601/2527 Unit 4: Communicate in a Business Environment 3 14 4
TRAINING PROGRAMME Training will be under taken both on the job and off the job, with the apprentices meeting every other week depending upon duration of apprenticeship, employer and provider. Training will be designed around both the apprentice, and the employer s needs. 5