After six years without a dedicated level 2 administration apprenticeship route, we’re excited to announce the launch of the new level 2 administration assistant apprenticeship. Employers have consistently told us they need a structured pathway to bring young talent into administrative roles – individuals with potential who need explicit support to develop professional behaviours, communication skills and workplace understanding. That’s exactly what we’ve created.
Who is the programme for?
Our administration assistant apprenticeship is designed for 16-24 year-olds new to the workplace or with limited administrative experience. Apprentices will perform routine administrative tasks under guidance, learning the fundamentals: professional communication, workplace systems, task organisation and professional conduct. Level 2 is about learning with support; level 3 (our business administrator apprenticeship) is about applying that knowledge with greater autonomy and responsibility.
Key features of the level 2 administration assistant programme
The apprenticeship is designed as a 12-month programme, with flexibility for apprentices to complete in around 10 months where they are ready and all requirements have been met. The curriculum is structured around carefully designed modules that build progressively from foundational workplace behaviours to the practical administrative skills needed in the role.
Assessment includes a portfolio and presentation and takes place during the apprenticeship.
The programme is restricted to 16-24 year-olds. Importantly, it’s been designed in parallel with our level 3 business administrator apprenticeship, creating a clear progression pathway.
Preparing young people for work
One of our most distinctive features is the strong emphasis on workplace behaviours and professional conduct, woven throughout the entire programme.
Many apprentices joining the programme may be at the start of their working life and still developing their understanding of professional workplace expectations. This programme provides explicit, supportive guidance on areas such as punctuality, communication, workplace etiquette, confidence and working with others.
The apprenticeship covers professionalism in all its dimensions: timekeeping, appropriate language, communication skills and workplace culture. We include practical scenarios that help apprentices think through real situations.
We also address communication in depth, not just what to say, but how to say it. This includes face-to-face interactions, phone calls, emailing and adapting communication to different workplace situations. Apprentices learn to build confidence, communicate appropriately and develop positive working relationships.
Throughout the programme, apprentices practise and demonstrate professional behaviours in real workplace contexts. The employer handbook highlights where specific behaviours may naturally be observed through workplace activities, helping employers recognise potential opportunities to support behaviour validation. Apprentices are supported to contribute effectively as they develop confidence, workplace understanding and practical administrative skills.
What apprentices will learn
The curriculum covers everything a competent administration assistant needs:
Workplace expectations and professionalism: Understanding professional conduct, time management and contributing positively to workplace culture.
Organisational understanding: Understanding organisational structure, purpose, values and how different departments interconnect.
Communication skills: Developing confidence in face-to-face communication, telephone skills, written communication and digital communication.
Digital tools and systems: Building confidence with common administrative software and helping apprentices recognise how these skills apply to the digital tools, platforms and systems used in their own organisation.
Compliance and security: Data protection, confidentiality, health and safety and other compliance requirements relevant to administrative roles.
Task and quality management: Planning and prioritising work, managing diaries and deadlines, maintaining accuracy and delivering to high standards.
Stakeholder collaboration and teamwork: Building positive working relationships with colleagues, understanding stakeholders and working effectively as part of a team.
For the full list of the standard’s knowledge, skills and behaviours, see the Skills England website.
Delivery and support
We’ve designed a multi-layered support system ensuring apprentices have guidance when they need it:
Interactive online learning: Accessible, screen-reader compatible platform with built-in choice and differentiation for varying experience levels.
Embedded workplace tasks: Real workplace tasks that generate portfolio evidence, ensure immediate application and create opportunities for employers to observe and validate behaviours.
Regular group coaching sessions: The opportunity to discuss module content with a coach and fellow apprentices, ask questions and explore how learning can be applied within different roles and organisations. Sessions also provide guidance on completing activity briefs and gathering evidence for their portfolio or presentation.
One-to-one coaching visits and reviews: Regular individual support from a coach to review progress, discuss learning and workplace activities, showcase evidence, ask questions and identify any further support needed. At key points in the programme, the apprentice’s line manager or workplace supervisor is also involved to review progress, targets and support needs.
Avatar-led mentor: Zara, a virtual mentor, provides warm, supportive guidance and encouragement throughout the programme.
Discussion hub: A supported online space where apprentices can connect, ask questions, share ideas and support each other between formal sessions. Coaches can also engage with apprentices, respond to questions and encourage discussion.
Supervisor and manager support: A comprehensive employer handbook with module overviews, suggested workplace activities, behaviour observation guidance and tips for supporting young people.
Clear progression to level 3
This programme is designed as a clear stepping stone to level 3 business administrator. The module structure reflects intentional alignment – each level 2 module provides the foundation for more advanced level 3 learning.
A dedicated careers guidance coordinator works with apprentices to explore progression options and plan career development. For those who progress, the transition is smooth and supported by coaches who understand both programmes.
Benefits for employers
Apprentices ready to contribute quickly: Strong focus on workplace behaviours means apprentices become productive team members rapidly, understanding expectations and communicating professionally from the start.
Comprehensive support materials: The employer handbook and module overviews provide clear guidance on supporting apprentices, reducing burden on workplace supervisors and ensuring consistency.
Behaviour validation support: Guidance to help employers recognise where professional behaviours may naturally be demonstrated through workplace activities, supporting behaviour validation throughout the programme.
Understanding of workplace culture: Apprentices develop genuine understanding of how workplaces operate and how to contribute positively to culture.
Communication confidence: Apprentices become confident communicators capable of handling phone calls, face-to-face interactions and written communication professionally.
Digital skills applied in context: Apprentices build confidence with common digital tools and are encouraged to relate their learning to the systems, tools and processes used in their organisation.
Quality assurance: Our 99% pass rate on level 3 business administrator demonstrates our programme quality. We’ve applied these lessons to level 2 administration assistant, ensuring the same rigorous standards.
Ready to get started?
The level 2 administration assistant apprenticeship represents a significant opportunity for employers seeking to develop young talent and for young people seeking a structured pathway into professional careers. We’ve designed this programme with care, informed by our success at level 3 and extensive feedback from employers and apprentices.
We’re committed to partnership with employers, continuous improvement, and above all, to apprentice success. If you’re an employer looking to develop your administrative team with properly prepared young talent, or supporting a young person ready to start their professional journey, we’d love to hear from you – get in touch today.