Apprentice Business Support Officer - Regulatory Services

Fixed Term 24 months - Full time 37 hours

Are you looking to kickstart your career in public protection? Join our dynamic team as a Business Support Apprentice and gain valuable experience while contributing to the safety and well-being of our community. This role offers a unique opportunity to work across various public protection services, including Licensing, Trading Standards, Environmental Protection, Private Sector Housing, Food and Safety and the Berkshire Coroners Service.

We are looking for a full-time Apprentice to work within the Business Support Team consisting of 10 Business Support Officers providing administrative support for Regulatory Services. You will be working predominantly with external customers who are part of a business or another Local Authority as well as the general public.

 

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

 

About the role:
Regulatory Services consists of professionally qualified officers in Licensing, Environmental Protection & Nuisance, Private Sector Housing, Food & Safety and Trading Standards who ensure that businesses comply with the law that keeps the public safe whilst at work, home and leisure.

 

Duties will include:

• Providing admin and technical support across departments such as Licensing, Trading Standards, and Environmental Protection
• Handling customer enquiries by phone, email, and in person
• Processing applications, invoices, and purchase orders
• Managing data entry and updating IT systems
• Supporting meetings, events, and communications campaigns
• Assisting with reporting and the preparation of statistical information

 

You will need to be able to undertake NVQ3 in Business Administration with an approved training provide. Applicants should be organised, self-motivated, a team player, committed to working hard and eager to learn many different skills. You should have good IT skills, numeracy, and be able to communicate clearly and professionally by telephone as well as in writing.

Ideally you should have level 2 in Functional Skills (English, Maths and IT). We will consider Level 1 qualifications, but level 2 must be achieved before the end point assessment.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

 

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work

If you would like to ask questions about this post before applying please contact Leigh Ingram by email leigh.ingram@reading.gov.uk or Lorraine Holland by email lorraine.holland@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Monday 19^th May 2025

Interview Date: Tuesday 27^th and Wednesday 28^th May 2025
Interview Setup: Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams

 

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.