Business Support Apprentice

Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Salary: £19,514 per annum (rising incrementally every 12 months during the Apprenticeship)
Hours: Full time, 37 hours
Contract Type: Fixed-Term Apprenticeship, 24 months
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 1FL
Closing Date: 15th March 2026
Interview Date: w/c 30th March 2026
Start Date: May 2026

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) have a number of interesting, diverse and challenging Business Support Apprenticeship roles to be based within our Delivery Support and Administrative Support Teams.

As a member of these teams, your role will be to provide support with the following:

• High quality administrative support to one or more teams in our office in Swindon, using meeting scheduling systems and processes, document management structures, and internal standard operating procedures
• Support and help to deliver our process of peer review using our computer systems
• Funding Opportunity support, including webinars and answering queries
• Information monitoring and collation of reporting materials, briefings and document management
• Corporate projects/activities as required

About EPSRC EPSRC is the main UK government agency for funding research and training in engineering and the physical sciences. We invest over £850 million a year in a broad range of subjects from mathematics to materials science and from information technology to structural engineering. EPSRC is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the largest public sector funder of research and innovation, with an annual budget of over £8bn and including 7 research councils. You can find out more about UKRI via:

About an Apprenticeship at UKRI With training and support from experts in their fields, you'll relish the opportunity to develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours whilst making a real difference in your role. If working with innovative technologies on world leading research isn't enough, you will be able to develop both professionally and as a critical member of the team in an environment you won't find anywhere else.

We'll support you every step of the way, helping you make the most of your opportunities and to achieve the goals you already have - and those you have yet to discover!

We provide an opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion, with access to a dedicated UKRI Early Careers Network. UKRI offers the following:

• A benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days' annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays and an exceptional pension scheme
• Cycle 2 work scheme
• Discount vouchers for high street stores and attractions

A full list of our benefits can be found here.

About the Roles the broad purpose of the roles are to provide administrative support to one or more teams in our office in Swindon. The roles will be wide ranging and include opportunities for providing administrative support within the post holder's respective team. You will work closely with other business support colleagues as well as wider team members in a supportive and collaborative environment to contribute to team objectives, where development and continuous improvement is encouraged and supported.

Your role will involve building and managing relationships with senior colleagues, arranging and supporting meetings and playing a key role in the delivery of the peer review process. You will deliver effective support that underpins the delivery teams and supports our wider objectives by ensuring that operations are carried out in an efficient and effective manner in a way that maximises benefit to the whole organisation.

Examples of activities you may undertake include:

• Diary support for the Head of Team.
• Meeting scheduling and support.
• Arrangement and support for virtual meetings, such as video conferencing or teleconferencing.
• Organisation of meetings including preparation of agendas and note taking.
• Providing support at our events, internal and external.
• Travel and accommodation booking.
• Travel and expense claim processing.
• Contribute to updating best practices, being mindful of continuous improvement.
• Setting up and maintaining purchase orders.
• Supporting the team to deliver peer review and grant award processes.
• Support corporate projects as required.

What you will learn You will undertake professional development and training as part of a cohort of apprentices. We are offering two routes for this apprenticeship:

• Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship (4 roles)

Level 3 Business Administrator apprentices will complete their apprenticeship with New College Swindon, over months. The first months are the 'practical period' where you will learn through a combination of on and off the job training with New College Swindon and EPSRC to develop and implement the required Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours. Candidates will be required to attend a blend of in person and virtual facilitated workshops during the practical period.

In the final 3 months of your programme you will undertake and lead on a work based improvement project, deliver a presentation on this project, undertake a Knowledge Test and a professional discussion underpinned by a work based portfolio as part of the End Point Assessment.

• Level 3 Data Technician (1 role)

Level 3 Data Technician apprentices will complete their apprenticeship with Babington Business College over 17 months. The first 14 months are the 'practical period' where you will learn through a combination of on and off the job training with Babington Business College and EPSRC to develop and implement the required Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours. Candidates will attend a combination of virtual workshops and online learning/coaching/mentoring sessions during the practical period.

In the final 3 months of our programme you will undertake two scenario based demonstrations in addition to a professional discussion, underpinned by a work based portfolio as part of the End Point Assessment.

If you have a preference, please indicate this within your Covering Letter although we cannot guarantee that you will be allocated to your stated preference. Applicants will be matched to the most suitable department and relevant apprenticeship pathway following the shortlisting and interview process based on their competencies across the role criteria detailed in the shortlisting criteria.

Shortlisting Criteria To apply for this apprenticeship, your CV and/or Cover letter will need to demonstrate that you meet the following criteria. Where indicated, this detail will be assessed at shortlisting (S), interview (I) or both (S&I). Essential:

• Two GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent qualifications) (S)
• Excellent planning, organisational and time management skills. (S&I)
• Ability to work as a proactive team member, using your initiative to deal with problems and overcome challenges in order to deliver the team's activities. (S&I)
• Ability to manage change and work in an adaptable and flexible manner. (S&I)
• Ability to establish and manage wider working relationships with colleagues at all levels. (I)
• Ability to work at pace in a dynamic environment, reprioritising tasks as appropriate. (I)
• Effective verbal communication skills. (I)
• A sound knowledge of Microsoft packages, editing and document presentation skills. (S)

Desirable

• A demonstrable interest in the work of EPSRC and UKRI. (S&I)
• Experience of inbox and diary support. (S)

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here:

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the stated closing date; therefore, we strongly encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

Apprenticeship Core Eligibility Requirements To be eligible to be considered for the apprenticeship programme, you must:

1. Have evidence of Maths and English GCSE at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent i.e. Level 2 Functional Skills)
2. Have lived in the UK and/or EU for 3 consecutive years prior to the apprentice start date:
3. 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

As part of our shortlisting process, we may be required to determine your eligibility to undertake the programme based on the information provided within your application. By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider. The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process.

We will be in touch after the closing date, however, please reach to us at click apply for full job details