The School of Leadership and Management - Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship
Programme overview
Who is it for?
The Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship has been designed to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for effective performance in administrative and operational roles, while supporting progression towards management responsibilities >L3 Business Administrator overview guide (pdf)
The programme provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of how organisations operate within a wider business environment, alongside the practical capability to apply this knowledge in the workplace. Learners will develop core competencies in communication, planning, problem solving, project delivery and the use of digital systems, ensuring they can contribute effectively to organisational performance.
Through a combination of structured learning, workplace application and ongoing professional development, the programme equips learners to add value within their role, support team and organisational objectives, and progress with confidence into more senior or management positions.
The Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship, supported by the CMI Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Management and Leadership, develops well-rounded business professionals who can effectively manage administrative responsibilities while building leadership and project management capabilities.
Learners gain practical workplace experience, recognised qualifications, and career-enhancing skills, while employers benefit from a more capable, engaged, and future-ready workforce with stronger leadership potential and improved project delivery capability.
The Level 3 Apprenticeship is designed around four stages
Stage 1: Pre-onboarding
Stage 2: Induction and onboarding
Stage 3: Programme delivery and key components: Level 3 Business Administrator Management Duties (and underpinning KSBs), workshops, tutorials, 1-2-1 coaching. Off the Job hours and CMI learning units.
Stage 4: Gateway and End Point Assessment
You will find a monthly structure and description of key elements of the programme below. This should give you a good feel for the regular activities.
The programme is funded through the Apprenticeship Levy >find out more. The cost of the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship is currently £5,000.
How can the programme link to qualifications?
Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard. It is also possible for learners to gain a CMI Level 3 Certificate First Line Management & Leadership.
Duration
13 months programme and 3 months End Point Assessment. 16 months in total.
Attendance Method
Group workshops, virtual tutorials and 1-2-1 executive coaching sessions and tutor support, or you can undertake the apprenticeship as an individual learner.
How is the programme structured?
The course is delivered through a blended approach, incorporating workshops, online learning, individual coaching, work based learning, workbooks on each management duty, reflective learning journals and CMI assessments, as well as regular line manager reviews.
Learners meet regularly with their tutor 1-2-1 and/or in group workshops and tutorials and are supported in their journey by a dedicated Learner Manager.
Programme structure – 13-16 months
Groups: Workshops (x 5 full day or x 10 half day) and Action and accountability tutorials following each workshop and regular 1-2-1 coaching sessions.
Independent study & self directed learning – Management Duty workbooks, CMI Thrive learning journey, writing reflective journals, CMI assignments, attending leadership and management events.
Download programme overview pack (pdf) which includes the programme structure on a page
How is the programme assessed?
There are assessments for the CMI L3 Certificate First Line Management & Leadership – learning units 331 Approaches to Managing and Leading People and Teams and Unit 335 Contributing to the management of a project.
End Point Assessment (EPA)
- Project presentation and Q&A (apprentices undertake a business project month 9 to month 12/13) (15-30mins)
- The apprentice must also compile a portfolio of evidence during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship. It should only contain evidence related to the KSBs that will be assessed by the professional discussion. Around 10-15 pieces of evidence are required. (30-45mins)
- Multiple Choice Question Knowledge Test (60mins)
EPA takes place mths 14-16, following the end of the learning period in month 13.
Off the Job hours
Learners will also complete a monthly learning journal or work diary, which will be a record of how they are applying the learning in practice. The entries are linked to the knowledge, skills and behaviours that will be used to build the learners portfolio and for End Point Assessment.
Apprentices are required to complete 350 off the job hours whilst they are undertaking this apprenticeship programme. Practically this will consist of the learner undertaking new tasks, new projects, carrying out procedures and processes in the new ways to achieve better results.
Benefits for the learner
By completing the apprenticeship, learners will:
- Earn while they learn.
- Gain two recognised business administration and management qualifications.
- Build transferable skills relevant to any industry.
- Develop leadership and project management capabilities.
- Improve employability and career progression opportunities.
- Prepare for progression to higher-level apprenticeships or management roles.
- Increase confidence, professionalism, and workplace effectiveness.
Benefits for the employer
Improved Workforce Capability
- Employees gain practical business administration, leadership, and project support skills.
- Improved efficiency, productivity, and service delivery.
Stronger Leadership Pipeline
- Develop future supervisors and managers from within the organisation.
- Support succession planning and talent development.
Enhanced Team Performance
- Improve communication within teams.
- Support employee engagement.
- Contribute to a positive workplace culture.
- Help build collaborative and high-performing teams.
Increased Project Support Capacity
- Assist with planning and coordinating projects.
- Monitor progress and maintain project documentation.
- Support successful delivery of organisational initiatives.
- Identify risks and opportunities for improvement.
Improved Employee Retention and Engagement
- Demonstrates investment in employee development.
- Increases job satisfaction and loyalty.
- Helps attract and retain talented staff.
Immediate Application of Learning
- Apprentices apply new knowledge directly in the workplace.
- Employers see tangible benefits throughout the programme rather than waiting until completion.
Organisational Improvement
- Encourages continuous improvement and innovation.
- Develops employees who can identify efficiencies and implement best practices.
- Supports organisational growth and resilience.
Who is it for?
Business administrators have a highly transferable set of knowledge, skills and behaviours that can be applied in all sectors. This includes small and large businesses alike; from the public sector, private sector and charitable sector.
The role may involve working independently or as part of a team and will involve developing, implementing, maintaining and improving administrative services. Business administrators develop key skills and behaviours to support their own progression towards management responsibilities.
The responsibilities of the role are to support and engage with different parts of the organisation and interact with internal or external customers. With a focus on adding value, the role of business administrator contributes to the efficiency of an organisation, through support of functional areas, working across teams and resolving issues as requested. The flexibility and responsiveness required allows the apprentice to develop a wide range of skills.
The business administrator is expected to deliver their responsibilities efficiently and with integrity – showing a positive attitude. The role involves demonstrating strong communication skills (both written and verbal) and adopting a proactive approach to developing skills. The business administrator is also expected to show initiative, managing priorities and own time, problem-solving skills, decision-making and the potential for people management responsibilities through mentoring or coaching others.
Download L3 Business Administrator apprenticeship overview (pdf)
Who is eligible?
- Learners who are, or aspire to be, business administrations or first time managers.
- No formal qualifications are required, other than – learners will be required to demonstrate a minimum level 2 achievement in English and Maths functional skills. We will support learners to achieve this if they do not possess the required qualifications, or learners and their employers can now elect to forego this requirement and opt out. We will discuss this with the learner and their employer during onboarding.
- The programme is funded through the Apprenticeship Levy >find out more. The cost of the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship is currently £5,000.
The L3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship – Management Duties
- Manage relationships with stakeholders, customers, and suppliers.
- Produce accurate records, reports, and business documents.
- Use IT systems and digital technologies effectively.
- Plan and organise work and resources.
- Support project management activities.
- Review business processes and suggest improvements.
- Handle invoices, purchase orders, payments, or customer data where relevant.
- Apply problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Coach or support colleagues where appropriate.
- Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, adaptability, and personal responsibility
Management duties are underpinned by a range of Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
Knowledge
K1 Organisation, purpose, values and external environment.
K2 Organisation structure and role within it.
K3 Stakeholder management.
K4 Laws and regulations (GDPR, H&S, compliance).
K5 Internal policies and procedures.
K6 Business principles (change, finance, projects).
K7 Business processes and continuous improvement.
K8 External factors affecting the organisation.
Skills
S1 IT systems and software.
S2 Producing accurate records and documents.
S3 Decision-making and problem-solving.
S4 Building relationships and influencing.
S5 Communication.
S6 Quality and continuous improvement.
S7 Planning and organisation.
S8 Project management support.
Behaviours
B1 Professionalism.
B2 Integrity, reliability and positive attitude.
B3 Responsibility, initiative and resilience.
B4 Adaptability to changing priorities.
B5 Ownership of quality, projects and supporting others.
Programme themes and learning units
The programme consists of 5 learning modules which run for 10-12 weeks each for 13 months, followed by up to three months preparation and completion of End Point Assessment.
Each module features: workshops, tutorials, 121 coaching session and at end of each module, a tri-partite review will be undertaken with the learners line manager.
A typical programme will include the following themes:
Module 1: Business Fundamentals
- Organisational purpose, aims, values & structure
- Wider business environment
- Managing & leading teams
Module 2: Managing Work and Progressing to Management
- Managing yourself
- Stepping up into management
- Managing projects
- Change mgt
- Financial awareness
Module 3: Technology and Business Systems
- Using IT & digital tools and business systems
- Data mgt & analysis
- AI in workplace
- Management communication
- Data protection & compliance
Module 4: Quality & Continuous Improvement
- Managing quality
- Problem solving & decision making
- Process improvement
- Sharing best practice
- Coaching others
Module 5: Personal and Professional Development
- Professional standards & expectations
- Career development & progression
- EDI
Gateway and End Point Assessment (Month 13-16)
Download L3 Business Administrator overview pack (pdf)
CMI L3 Certificate First Line Management & Leadership
The CMI L3 Certificate is undertaken during Module 1, 2 and 3. Learning units CMI 331 Approaches to Managing and Leading People and Teams (Module 1) and learning unit CMI 335 Contributing to the management of a project (Module 2-3).
CMI unit 331 focuses on developing the capabilities of managers to engage, motivate, and inspire their teams while providing clear direction and support for individual needs and aspirations. The unit emphasizes equity, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing as integral to effective leadership.
The unit is structured around three main learning outcomes:
- Understand approaches to management and leadership
- Know how to effectively manage and lead people
- Understand approaches to effectively manage and lead teams
CMI unit 335 – projects play a vital role in achieving strategic objectives within organisations. Whilst the scale, significance and complexity of a project varies; the principles of how projects are managed are ultimately the same. Projects provide First Line Managers with the opportunity to plan, coordinate and deliver tasks in a structured manner, enabling them to develop their management and leadership
skills.
This unit aims to equip First Line Managers with the knowledge and understanding of how projects are managed, the methods used to monitor and control delivery – from the start of a project, through to closure and review.
The unit is structured around two main learning outcomes:
- Understand how projects are managed within an organisational context
- Understand how the First Line Manager contributes to the delivery of a project
Programme structure – 13-16 months
Groups: Workshops (x 5 full day or x 10 half day) and Action and accountability tutorials following each workshop and regular 1-2-1 coaching sessions.
Independent study & self directed learning – Management Duty workbooks, CMI Thrive learning journey, writing reflective journals, CMI assignments, attending leadership and management events.
Typical Monthly Structure
Week 1 Group/Individual Workshop – Full Day
Week 2 Independent study
Week 3 Group tutorial / 121 online tuition session
Week 4 Independent study
Group/Individual Workshop
This session will deliver course content, provide opportunity for interactive learning and expert tuition as well as guest speakers where appropriate. Where the programme is delivered to a group, these sessions will also include opportunity for debate, discussion and peer on peer learning.
Your course tutor will also provide guidance and advice on how to approach assessed elements of your qualification including written assignments and the development of your skills/behaviours portfolio.
Independent study
During these allocated weeks you will be required to work on your formal written assignments as well as compiling evidence for your skills/behaviours portfolio and later in the programme, working on your workplace project.
121 online tutorial
During these weeks, you will be allocated (through mutual agreement) a time for you to meet online with your course tutor 1-2-1.
This will be a safe, confidential space for you to ask questions about your formal assignments and raise any concerns you may have regarding any aspects of the programme. Your tutor will also ask you about access to your Off The Job training time allocation, as well as how you are using this designated time.
They will also talk to you about your portfolio providing both support and challenge to help you build this up over time. At regular intervals during your time on the programme, your line manager will also be invited to these meetings (effectively making them 1-2-2) to discuss progress and support.
Learners will also participate in regular line manager reviews. They will meet regularly with their tutor and are supported in their journey by a dedicated Learner Manager.
How is the programme assessed?
There are assessments for the CMI L3 Certificate First Line Management & Leadership Unit 331 Approaches to Managing and Leading People and Teams and Unit 335 Contributing to the management of a project.
End Point Assessment (EPA)
Project presentation and Q&A (apprentices undertake a business project month 9 to month 12/13) (15-30mins)
The apprentice must also compile a portfolio of evidence during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship. It should only contain evidence related to the KSBs that will be assessed by the professional discussion. Around 10-15 pieces of evidence are required. (30-45mins)
Multiple Choice Question Knowledge Test (60mins)
EPA takes place mths 14-16, following the end of the learning period in month 13.
Off the Job hours
Learners will also complete a monthly learning journal or work diary, which will be a record of how they are applying the learning in practice. The entries are linked to the knowledge, skills and behaviours that will be used to build the learners portfolio and for End Point Assessment.
Apprentices are required to complete 350 off the job hours whilst they are undertaking this apprenticeship programme. Practically this will consist of the learner undertaking new tasks, new projects, carrying out procedures and processes in the new ways to achieve better results.
What are the benefits – for the learner?
- Growth in ability to manage tasks, projects and plans
- Use of effective communication approaches
- Building of confidence and capability to support delivery of results
- Ability to plan and manage projects
- Understanding of financial measures vital to business administration
- Personal growth in self-awareness and management
- Ability to make decisive decisions
What are the benefits – for the employer?
- Enhanced business administration and management
- Motivated workforce
- Focus on solutions
- Talent development for leadership and management.
- Tangible results arising from practical learning applied in the workplace
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