The Department for Education
Business Administration Level 2
Apprenticeship
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Contents
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About us
Why become a DfE Apprentice?
A Day in the Life of an Apprentice
The programme
The requirements
The application process
What we are looking for
About us
The Department for Education
You might have heard of us as the Government Department that is
responsible for schools. That is a standard description.
However, did you know that being ‘responsible for schools’ can include
building them, funding them, creating new types of schools, setting the
curriculum, deciding which way to direct education and ensuring
everyone receives the same standard of education and opportunities, no
matter your background. That is to name just a few elements of what we
do.
It does not stop there. Did you know that we aren’t ‘just’ responsible for
schools? As the Department for Education, we create all the policy for
children’s social services, for further education and higher education, for
early learning and for skills and apprenticeships (just like this one!)
We are also the home of the Government Equalities Office, which is
responsible for the equality and diversity policy for the whole
government.
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Why become a DfE Apprentice?
If you are looking for an exciting and different business administration
apprenticeship, that allows you to study while you work and get paid to
do so, then we believe that the DfE is a great place for you to begin your
apprenticeship.
Our apprenticeship promises:
 A salary starting from £18,659 of posts outside of London and
£22,215 for posts in London.
 A 18 month Full Time Fixed Term Appointment
 The possibility, on successfully completing the programme, that
the post may be converted to a permanent post.
 A fully funded Level 2 Business Administration Apprenticeship
 Dedicated time to complete your Apprenticeship.
 Lots of different and interesting development opportunities
 Dedicated Talent Coach to support your Apprenticeship
 Full support of your line manager to complete your Learning and
Development.
 Dedicated support with a single point of contact
Joining the Department for Education promises:
 An inclusive employer where everyone from every background is
welcomed
 Exciting career prospects
 The opportunity to join the Apprentice Network
 The chance to experience working in the heart of Government
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A Day in the Life of an Apprentice
Hi, my name is Pooja Raj and I am an EA Apprentice!
Every day is never the same, as an EA in the Department for Education,
I have a wide range of responsibilities and within three months due to
the variety of work, I have learnt a lot about the Department. My
knowledge about the wider Civil Service has also expanded within three
months of working here.
I really enjoy the task and responsibilities I have. I always come to
work happy and enthusiastic as I am not treated as an apprentice, my
unit give me the support when I need it and they also trust me to get
on with my work independently.
Elizabeth is as Project Lead in the Academies Regional Delivery Group,
providing support to Regional Schools Commissioners and their office. “My dayto-day tasks can range from dealing directly with external stakeholders such as
head teachers and lawyers to providing briefings for senior civil service staff.”
I really enjoy been given the same opportunities as any other members of staff
at the Department. These opportunities have allowed me to develop transferable
skills in the workplace that will benefit me in any future roles.
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The DfE
Apprenticeship
Programme
The Business Administration Apprenticeship will develop your skills and
kick start your career in the Civil Service. We offer you on the job
training with opportunities to increase your understanding about what we
do, improve your business acumen and set you with a qualification, fully
funded, to enable you to be successful in the Department for Education.
You will gain professional skills and exposure to the inner workings of
one of the most important Government departments.
You will be given opportunities, development and support
throughout your apprenticeship to make sure you have the
foundations for a great career.
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The Requirements
At the DfE, we pride ourselves on how passionate, enthusiastic and
dedicated our apprentices are. Our apprentices work hard and make the
most of the opportunities they are offered.
It would be great if you had GCSE’s or equivalent vocational
qualification. However, do not worry if you do not have these
qualifications. As long as you have the qualities we have outlined below,
then we still want you to apply!
This is very much a self -developmental role for people to gain
significant knowledge and a qualification in Business Administration.
Therefore, this role may not be suitable for individuals who have a
higher- level qualification in the Business Administration arena.
Right to work in the UK is essential.
In addition, we are looking for someone who;
 Pays attention to the detail. You are organised and can stay
focused on the task in front of you
 Has good organisational skills. Can stay calm under pressure, and
can prioritise when you have many different things to do.
 Is committed to the apprenticeship and has enthusiasm to learn
 Has effective written, spoken and numerical skills.
 Enjoys working with others and being part of a team.
 Is going to make the most of the time you spend with us.
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The Application Process
Stage 1
Application
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When you click apply you will be asked to fill out a short application form.
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You will be asked to provide your name, address, career history.
Stage 2
Online Tests
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You will then be invited to undertake three online tests.
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These tests are Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning and the Civil Service Judgement Test.
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The tests are not timed, so take your time.
Stage 3
Completion of Application Form
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If you are successful in your online tests you will continue to the next stage and complete the rest
of the application form.
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This includes the completion of the competency based areas of the application form.
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For more information on this please see What we are looking for.
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Please note that you are required to complete all the areas of the form and provide evidence
against all four competencies. However, should we receive a high number of applications then we
shall only sift on Managing a Quality Service.
Stage 4
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You need to complete all 4 competencies in your application.
If we receive a high number of applications, then we shall review your competency evidence but
shall only sift on Managing a Quality Service.
Stage 5
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Sift
Interview
If you are successful at sift, you will be invited to an interview. Our questions will be a mix of
strength based and situation based questions. You will receive more information on your
invitation.
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Application Timeframe
Short Application form to be completed before midnight 4th July
2017.
Tests to be completed before midnight 6th July 2017.
If you are successful in passing the tests, the remaining application
form must be completed before midnight 10th July 2017.
All applications will be reviewed and sifted after the 10th July, and
you will be contacted accordingly before the 26th July.
Interviews will start week commencing 31st July through to 18th
August.
You will hear whether you have been successful at interview in the
few weeks after the 18th August.
If you are successful at interview an identification paper will need
to be completed, this is not a test and is to determine what level of
Maths & English you are working at. Further information will be
provided once at this stage.
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What we are looking for
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How to write your answers
What we are looking for in your answers
1. How to write your answers
When completing the form you will need to provide examples of
particular situation/s from where you displayed all or most of the
activities making up that required competency. By describing what you
did and how you did it, why you did it and the outcome/affect this had will
show the panel that you can demonstrate what is required and you are
capable of doing this.
When writing your competency statements you should:
 Ensure you are content that you have provided evidence to
demonstrate you have met the essential criteria within your
competency examples.
 Do not make overarching statements
 To provide structure to your evidence use the STAR technique; the
Situation of the example, the Task you were involved in, Action
you took in dealing with the situation and what the Results were
and were the aims met.
 Use relevant and specific examples to support your evidence,
clearly explaining us know what you have
done and how you have done it.
 Use concise text and check spelling.
 Be honest and factual
 Refer to the attached Civil Service
Competency Framework
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What we are looking for in your answers
Managing a Quality Service
We are looking for you to pick an example that demonstrates a time
when you have:
- Worked with your team to set priorities, create clear plans and
manage all work to achieve your goal or aim
Within this example show how you have
- Identified risks or concerns that may affect your end goal and
overcame these
- Kept everyone in the team and those who the goal effects fully
informed of your plans and its progress
- Made sure that you and those you worked with in order to achieve
your goal followed the correct procedures and rules
Collaborating and Partnering
We are looking for you to pick an example that demonstrates a time
when you have:
- Worked with others, within your immediate team and outside of it
to achieve a result
Within this example show how you have
- Proactively sought out information or support from others to help
achieve your result
- Listened to others and checked their understanding by asking
questions
- Identified opportunities to share your knowledge with the rest of
your team
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Delivering at Pace
We are looking for you to pick an example that demonstrates a time
when you have:
- Delivered something with tight deadlines
Within this example show how you have:
- Created regular reviews of what and who is required to make the
activity successful
- Been interest and positive about what you and your team were
trying to achieve
- Took ownership of the problems faced and overcome them
- Remained positive and focused despite setbacks
Changing and Improving
We are looking for you to pick an example that demonstrates a time
when you have:
- Need to make an important decision and how you came to your
conclusion
Within this example show how you have
- Examined different information to make an accurate decision
- Spoken with relevant people to obtain advice and information to
help you make an effective decision
- Explained clearly, both verbally and in writing, how your decision
was reached.
Please refer to Civil Service Competency Framework for further
information.
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Complaints
The Department for Education’s recruitment processes are underpinned
by the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, which
outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair
and open competition.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the
values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has
been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service
Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you may make a complaint, by
contacting the Central Recruitment Team at the following address
[email protected]
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