Public Engagement Business Admin Apprentice

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £20,200 per annum rising annually 
Hours: Full time (37 hours per week)
Contract Type: Fixed Term for 2 years
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot
Closing Date: 28th April 2024
Interview Date: May 2024 onsite at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Start Date: September 2024

We are looking for an enthusiastic person to join our friendly Public Engagement Team of six people based at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire. The National Laboratories Public Engagement Group, composed of 17 team members across three sites, supports STFC in inspiring and exciting the public about our science and technology through events and activities. A key part of this is involving STFC staff in these events to give insight into their work. We are looking for someone to support us in coordinating early career staff involvement with public engagement events.

About an apprenticeship at STFC

With training and support from experts in their fields, you’ll be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge, skills and behaviours, working towards completing your apprenticeship, gaining appropriate qualifications whilst making a real difference in your role. 

If working with innovative technologies on world-leading research isn’t enough, you will develop both professionally and as a critical member of the team in an environment you won’t find anywhere else. 

Our dedicated Apprenticeship Team will 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. You’ll have access to additional core skills development, access to a community of apprentices across the site, annual Apprentice awards evenings, a number of active sport and social groups across campus, and potential opportunities for overseas placements. 

STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, an outstanding index linked pension scheme, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours. 

For a list of our full benefits, please visit here.

About the role

Main duties/responsibilities will include: 

• Building and maintaining relationships with early career staff through regular communication in a business environment
• Shared responsibility for public inboxes – including replying in a timely manner, answering queries, maintaining accurate and easily accessible records
• Coordinating and organising training sessions for early career staff
• Coordinating volunteering opportunities for early careers staff, which can include liaising directly with schools, universities or colleges, arranging transport and/or arranging delivery of materials
• Maintaining accurate and accessible records of early career staff volunteering and training
• Supporting the Public Engagement Team and Skills Centre Team with delivery of on-site events and off-site career fairs
• Maintaining and updating an internal website, including producing content such as news articles

Alongside this, you will undertake a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship at Abingdon and Witney College. This will include 10 days college attendance and 12 on-site assessment visits per year with the college Assessor Coach who supports with the apprenticeship skills and behaviours and the building of the portfolio of evidence and the work-based project that is required for Independent End Point Assessment.

Objectives covered:

• Understands organisational purpose, activities, aims, values, vision for the future, resources and the way that the political/economic environment affects the organisation.
• Knows organisational structure and demonstrates understanding of how their work benefits the organisation. Knows how they fit within their team and recognises how their skills can help them to progress their career.
• Has a practical knowledge of managing stakeholders and their differing relationships to an organisation. This includes internal and external customers, clients and/or suppliers. Liaises with internal/external customers, suppliers or stakeholders from inside or outside the UK. Engages and fosters relationships with suppliers and partner organisations.
• Understands laws and regulations that apply to their role including data protection, health & safety, compliance etc. Supports the company in applying the regulations.
• Understands the organisation's internal policies and key business policies relating to sector.
• Understands the applicability of business principles such as managing change, business finances and project management.

To apply for this apprenticeship opportunity, we are looking for the following:

Key - (S) is measured at shortlisting, (I) is measured at interview, (S&I) are measured at both.

Essential criteria:

• Achieved or predicted to achieve 2 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above including Maths, English (S)
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, verbally and in writing, with a variety of people (S&I)
• Attention to detail/accuracy (S)
• Experience of being part of a team or group (I)
• Ability to organise tasks effectively whilst meeting deadlines (I)

  Desirable criteria:

• Interest in and enthusiasm for STFC science
• Experience of building positive relationships with people in different roles and with different personalities

Application Instructions

Applications will be shortlisted by the quality of their CV and cover letter. Please ensure you explain clearly why you feel you are a good fit for this role, taking into account the duties and responsibilities and the person specification. Please provide examples where possible, taking into account school/college project and/or work-based experience. 

Important Information

1. To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to evidence passes at 9-4 or A*-C in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English. For those sitting their GSCEs in Summer 2024, we would need evidence of your predicted grades.
2. When applying for an apprenticeship, there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met by the applicant. To check your eligibility please click here.
3. The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process. If you already have a qualification in this subject area or similar please include, as an attachment, your transcript outlining the grade/s achieved and modules covered.  By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider.

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe’s largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what’s possible.  
 
We will be in touch after the closing date, however, please reach out on apprenticerecruitment@ukri.org if you have any questions. 

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.