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Business adviser

Alternative titles for this job include Business consultant, enterprise adviser, business coach

Business advisers give advice and support to new business start-ups and help established businesses to grow.

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£35,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

How to become a business adviser

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
  • specialist courses run by private training organisations

University

You could do a foundation degree or degree in:

  • business management
  • business enterprise
  • marketing
  • project management

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More information

Apprenticeship

You can start by doing a junior management consultant or business and professional services higher apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More information

Direct application

You can apply directly to employers if you've got proven experience like running your own company, or working in management, finance or human resources.

You'll need to show a wide range of skills, including marketing, finance, planning and project management. You'll also need to be good at building a network of contacts.

Other routes

You could build up your knowledge and skills by doing business support and mentoring qualifications, for example, like those offered by the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative.

Qualifications include:

  • Level 3 Certificate in Enterprise Coaching
  • Level 3 Award in Enterprise Mentoring
  • Level 5 Certificate in Professional Business and Enterprise Support Services

More information

Career tips

You can use online social media, like LinkedIn, to promote yourself, build your network and display recommendations from colleagues and clients.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about working in business advice from Business is Great and your local Growth Hub.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • business management skills
  • analytical thinking skills
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • knowledge of English language
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

Restrictions and requirements

You’ll need professional indemnity insurance.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to day duties may include:

  • looking at clients’ business ideas to see if they have potential
  • helping clients to develop business plans
  • advising on sources of finance and grants
  • helping existing small businesses with problems, like finding ways to reduce costs or improve marketing
  • referring clients to other specialists if necessary
  • networking with the business community and enterprise organisations
  • monitoring clients’ progress
  • running advice workshops and seminars

Working environment

You could work at a client's business or in an office.

Career path and progression

You could be employed by a local business support organisation or by a national organisation like the Great Business support line.

You could also get involved with community or social enterprises and charities that support business start ups, or do freelance work.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Junior Management Consultant Apprenticeship – Talent Consulting with WILLIS TOWERS WATSON

  • Wage : £22,000.00 Annually
  • Location: London EC3M 7DQ

Senior Business Management & Finance Executive Apprentice

  • Wage : £25,000.00 - £35,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Sidcup DA14 4BG
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

GCE A2 Level Business Studies

  • Provider: Poole High School
  • Start date: 04 September 2020
  • Location: Poole

Business Studies

  • Provider: Turton School
  • Start date: 10 September 2020
  • Location: Bolton
Find courses near you

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