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Admin assistant

Alternative titles for this job include Office administrator, clerical assistant, administrative assistant

Admin assistants give support to businesses by organising meetings, typing documents and updating computer records.

Average salary (a year)

£21,000 Starter

to

£28,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm Mon to Fri

Meet Katy

Katy supports people who want to access the services at Breast Cancer Now.

1 minute 35 second watch

View transcript

My name is Katy. I am a services support assistant for Breast Cancer Now.

I've done a bit of office management as well. I've temped for a hospital, again, doing administrative duties for theatre. And that's really sort of helped add loads and loads of different types of admin strategies and understanding of different systems to my repertoire.

My current role involves being that first point of contact for any person diagnosed with breast cancer who wants to access our services. You learn so much doing administrative duties as well, because even though the absolute core of what you do is like spreadsheets, registrations, emails, answering the phone, you get so much knowledge about the company for which you work.

Something that over the years I've learnt is equally as important is understanding your company’s style of communication. Sort of taking that time when you're new into a role to think like, how are they sending emails? What sort of tone do we use? How do we answer the phone? How would we phrase a certain thing?

My favourite thing about my job is, and it sounds so cheesy, but it's just helping people do what they want to be able to do. So whether that be someone who wants to access support, whether that be my colleague who wants to revamp the way that we send emails to someone. Being able to support people, to expand both the service that we are providing and how they work within their job. It's really, really rewarding for me.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Admin assistant

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

College

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

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Business Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This takes up to 2 years to complete and combines on-the-job training with classroom learning.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Work

You might be able to start on a temporary contract through a recruitment agency. Sometimes this can lead to a permanent job. Qualifications or experience in business administration may help.

Volunteering

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.

Direct Application

You could 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. Good telephone, typing and IT skills will be helpful.

More Information

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.

You can develop your IT and administration skills by doing a free online course through The Skills Toolkit.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • administration skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to work on your own
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you could:

  • deal with questions on the phone, by email and on social media
  • greet visitors at reception
  • type letters, reports and other business documents
  • update records and store them in line with data protection legislation
  • order office supplies
  • 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

Working environment

You could work in an office or remotely.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress from admin assistant to supervisor or office manager. You could also move into other departments, like IT, payroll or accounting.

With further training, you could specialise in an area like legal, financial or medical administration, become a personal assistant or executive officer.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Business Administration Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £12,480 a year Annually
  • Location: HA8 6LE

APPRENTICE ADMINISTRATOR

  • Wage: £13,000 a year Annually
  • Location: NORTH CIRCULAR ROAD, LONDON
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

L4 Diploma in Business Administration

  • Provider: WEST THAMES COLLEGE
  • Start date: 22 September 2025
  • Location: Isleworth

Business Administration BTEC Diploma

  • Provider: SOLIHULL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CENTRE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Solihull
Find courses near you

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