Admin assistant

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job.

Courses include:

• business and administration
• International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) Certificate in IT User Skills (previously ECDL)
• word processing
• T Level in Management and Administration

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply to do a Retail Service, Supply and Administration Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship, or a Business Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• are in care or have been in care
• are in prison or have been in prison

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You might be able to start as an admin assistant on a temporary contract through a recruitment agency. This can often lead into a permanent job.

Qualifications or experience in office work will be helpful. Employers will give you training on the job, covering their data entry systems.

You could volunteer with a charity in an office based role to get some experience and skills that are useful for administration work.

You can find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT .

You can apply directly to become an admin assistant.

Employers may look for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent qualifications, including English and maths. Word processing and spreadsheet skills will be useful, along with good customer service skills.

Career Tips

Time management and the ability to prioritise tasks is really important in administration. This could be tested at interview. For example, you might be given some tasks to complete and asked to arrange them in order of importance.

As an admin assistant, you could:

• handle enquiries on the phone, by email and on social media
• type up letters, reports and other business documents
• update and maintain computer records
• follow data protection guidelines when handling information
• keep track of stock, order office supplies and send out invoices
• set up meetings and take notes during them
• make travel arrangements for staff

We've identified this as a potential green job

For an admin assistant to be a green job, you could:

• set up a virtual meeting to avoid unnecessary travel
• order office supplies made from recycled materials
• recycle or donate used electronic equipment and devices

Find out more about green careers

You could work in an office or remotely.