Operations Support

Contract and Operations Support – Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice at DVSA

UK Based Applicants Only – Apprenticeship Opportunity

Looking for a paid apprenticeship with the UK Government that allows you to earn while you learn? The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is recruiting for Contract and Operations Support – L3 Business Administration Apprentice positions across several UK locations.

There are 2 permanent apprenticeship vacancies available, with a salary of £30,485 per year, Civil Service pension benefits, annual leave, flexible working options and the opportunity to gain a Level 3 qualification in Business Administration while receiving practical workplace training.

This opportunity could suit candidates interested in business administration, contract management, commercial operations, data analysis, government jobs and Civil Service careers.

Important: DVSA does not hold a UKVI Skilled Worker sponsor licence and cannot provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for this vacancy. Applicants must already have the appropriate right to work in the UK.

Job Overview

Job Detail	Information
Job title	Contract and Operations Support – L3 Business Admin Apprentice
Employer	Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
Department	DVSA – Digital Operations
Reference number	475651
Salary	£30,485 per year
Job grade	Executive Officer
Contract	Permanent Apprenticeship
Working pattern	Full-time, Part-time, Flexible Working
Hours	37 hours full-time; minimum 32 hours part-time
Vacancies	2
Locations	Birmingham, Bristol, Chadderton, Leeds, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham and Swansea
Qualification	Level 3 Business Administration
Expected start	November 2026
Closing date	11:55 pm, Friday 18 September 2026
Visa sponsorship	Not available

About the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is a UK government agency responsible for helping keep Britain moving safely and sustainably.

Its work includes improving road safety, helping people undertake safe and sustainable journeys, ensuring vehicles are safe to drive and protecting the public from unsafe drivers and vehicles.

DVSA is also working to improve customer services, make road transport greener and healthier, use technology and data effectively, and contribute to economic growth.

Joining DVSA provides apprentices with an opportunity to gain experience within the Civil Service while developing practical administrative and operational skills.

About the Business Administration Apprenticeship

This vacancy combines paid employment, practical workplace experience and formal study.

Successful candidates will work within DVSA’s Theory Test Contract Management Team, supporting the management and operational delivery of one of two Theory Test contracts:

Test Centre Network (TCN)
Theory Test Assessment Platform (TTAP)

The apprenticeship is designed to help you develop practical business administration skills while working towards a Level 3 Business Administration qualification.

The apprenticeship will be delivered in England by CT Skills or in Wales by Educ8.

Although the role provides training and support, DVSA makes clear that the apprenticeship will require motivation and commitment because candidates will be balancing employment with their studies.

What You Will Do

As a Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice, you will support contract and operational activities associated with DVSA’s Theory Test services.

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Your duties may include:

Supporting the administration of contract and operational documentation.
Assisting with the management of documentation relating to Theory Test service contracts.
Supporting routine financial reporting.
Helping with invoice reconciliation.
Producing reports for Contract and Operational Delivery Managers.
Supporting the analysis of data reports.
Using data to assist with operational and contractual management.
Providing secretariat support for contract management boards.
Producing outputs and documentation for circulation.
Responding to general enquiries from Theory Test service suppliers.
Communicating with key stakeholders.
Producing KPI performance reports for suppliers.
Supporting the operational management of contracted services.
Developing your administrative and commercial skills through practical work.

The exact responsibilities may vary depending on operational requirements and the Theory Test contract you support.

Skills and Experience Required

DVSA is looking for applicants who are organised, motivated and comfortable managing multiple tasks.

To be successful, you should be able to demonstrate experience in areas such as:

Report production and analysis

You should have experience producing and analysing reports. Examples could include:

Tracking invoices.
Monitoring supplier performance.
Managing or monitoring KPIs.
Reviewing operational information.
Presenting information in a clear and useful format.

General administrative support

You should also have experience providing general administrative support, including activities such as:

Managing enquiries.
Handling queries.
Supporting incident management.
Taking notes and maintaining records.
Organising information.
Supporting colleagues and stakeholders.

Essential Qualification

Applicants must hold:

GCSE grade C / Level 4 in Maths and English, or an equivalent qualification.

DVSA may require evidence of essential qualifications during the recruitment process.

If you cannot provide the required evidence, your application may be withdrawn.

Apprenticeship Eligibility Requirements

This is an important section for anyone considering applying.

To be eligible for the apprenticeship, applicants must:

Be 18 years of age or over.
Have the right to work in the UK.
Hold the required qualifications.
Not be in full-time education.
Not be receiving funding for another learning programme when the apprenticeship begins.
Have valid and eligible residency status.
Have been resident in the UK for three years before the apprenticeship starts, subject to the applicable apprenticeship funding rules.

Applicants who are uncertain about the residency requirements are advised to contact DVSA before applying.

See also Data and Analytics

Previous Qualifications and Experience

There are additional restrictions concerning existing qualifications.

If you already hold, or are currently working towards, a qualification at the same level or a higher level that is similar in content, you may not be eligible.

Previously obtained or current qualifications must differ sufficiently in content so that the apprenticeship provides substantial new skills.

DVSA also states that applicants must not already be over-qualified or over-experienced for this type of apprenticeship.

If an applicant is found to be ineligible after applying, the application may not be considered. Any employment offer may also be withdrawn if eligibility requirements are not met.

Salary

The salary for this position is:

£30,485 per year

In addition to the salary, DVSA states that it contributes approximately £8,831 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, based on the stated employer contribution rate.

The advertised employer pension contribution is 28.97%.

Annual Leave

Successful candidates will receive:

25 days of annual leave initially.
An additional day for each year of service, up to a maximum of 30 days.
8 bank holidays.
An additional privilege day for the King’s birthday.

This provides a substantial annual leave package alongside the salary and pension.

Other Employee Benefits

The role also comes with a range of Civil Service benefits.

These include:

Civil Service pension.
Staff discount portal.
Career development opportunities.
Opportunities to undertake relevant professional qualifications.
Department-funded development opportunities where applicable.
Access to staff communities supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce.
24-hour Employee Assistance Programme.
Flexible working options.
Work-life balance initiatives.

Professional development opportunities may include qualifications such as CIPD, PRINCE2 and other relevant apprenticeships or professional programmes, depending on role requirements and departmental availability.

Working Hours

Full-time employment is based on:

37 hours per week.

Part-time applications are welcomed, but the successful candidate must be able to work at least:

32 hours per week.

The role supports flexible working arrangements, subject to business requirements.

Hybrid Working

The position is suitable for hybrid working.

However, hybrid working is described as a non-contractual arrangement and is subject to business requirements.

At present, employees are expected to spend at least 60% of their working time each month at their designated workplace or, where required, another workplace/location or visiting stakeholders.

The advertised locations include:

Birmingham
Bristol
Chadderton
Leeds
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Nottingham
Swansea

Occasional travel to other offices may also be required. Some work-related travel could involve overnight stays.

Applicants who require particular working arrangements should discuss their circumstances with the vacancy holder during the recruitment process.

Visa Sponsorship – Important Information

This vacancy does NOT offer Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

DVSA explicitly states that it does not hold a UK Visa and Immigration Skilled Worker sponsor licence and is unable to sponsor individuals for Skilled Worker sponsorship.

Therefore, applicants must already have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying.

This means that overseas applicants who require DVSA to sponsor them for a Skilled Worker visa should not apply on the assumption that sponsorship will be provided.

Who Can Apply?

The vacancy is broadly open to eligible applicants who have the right to work in the UK, including qualifying:

See also Admin Support

UK nationals.
Republic of Ireland nationals.
Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK.
Certain EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals and eligible family members with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Certain individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain who meet the relevant EUSS criteria.
Turkish nationals and certain qualifying family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.

Nationality and eligibility requirements apply, so candidates should check the official rules before submitting an application.

Civil Service Behaviours

The recruitment process will assess applicants against several Civil Service Success Profile behaviours.

These are:

Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace
Working Together

For the application stage, candidates are specifically asked to provide evidence for:

Managing a Quality Service

Applicants should therefore prepare a strong example demonstrating how they have delivered a quality service, maintained standards, handled competing priorities, supported customers or stakeholders, or improved an administrative process.

Recruitment and Selection Process

The recruitment process consists of three main stages.

Stage 1 – Online Test

After submitting the initial personal details, applicants will be invited to complete a Civil Service verbal judgement test.

This stage assesses the Success Profile element:

Ability

Candidates are encouraged to complete the online test as soon as possible, with completion within 24–48 hours recommended.

Both the online test and the full application must be completed before the vacancy closes.

Stage 2 – Application Sift

Applicants who successfully complete the first stage will progress to the full application.

The sift will assess:

Behaviours
Experience

Candidates will need to provide:

250-word behaviour statement

The required behaviour is:

Managing a Quality Service

Candidates will also submit:

CV – unlimited word count

and

Personal statement – 500 words

The personal statement should provide evidence of:

Experience producing and analysing reports, including examples such as invoice tracking and supplier KPI management.
Experience providing general administrative support, including query management, incident management and note taking.

If a large number of applications are received, DVSA may conduct an initial sift using the lead behaviour, Managing a Quality Service.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may then proceed to a full sift or directly to interview.

The sift is scheduled to take place during the week commencing:

21 September 2026

Stage 3 – Interview

Candidates who successfully pass the sift may be invited to interview.

The interview will assess:

Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Delivering at Pace
Experience
Strengths

Interviews are scheduled for the week commencing:

See also Admin Roles

19 October 2026

The interview will be conducted online through Microsoft Teams.

Further details will be provided to candidates selected for interview.

Expected Start Date

The successful applicants are expected to start the apprenticeship in:

November 2026

Candidates should therefore ensure they are available to begin employment around this time.

Reserve List

DVSA will maintain a:

12-month reserve list

Successful candidates who are not immediately appointed may potentially be considered for future opportunities arising during the reserve period.

Artificial Intelligence and Applications

Candidates may use artificial intelligence tools to support their application, but any examples and statements submitted must be:

Truthful.
Factually accurate.
Based on the applicant’s own experience.

Applicants should not present AI-generated examples or another person’s experiences as their own.

Applications may be withdrawn where plagiarism or inappropriate use of generated content is identified.

A strong application should therefore use AI, if at all, as a tool for improving clarity and structure rather than inventing experience.

Reasonable Adjustments

DVSA is a Disability Confident Leader employer and states that it is committed to making recruitment accessible and fair.

Candidates who require reasonable adjustments can indicate their requirements in the Assistance required section of the application.

Examples may include accessibility arrangements for interviews or communication support.

Applicants requiring assistance with the application process should contact the Government Recruitment Service before the closing date.

Security Checks

Successful candidates will be required to complete relevant pre-employment checks.

These include a basic or equivalent criminal record check.

Because employees will work with government assets, candidates must also complete the appropriate Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.

Successful interview candidates may also be subject to an Internal Fraud Database check as part of pre-employment screening.

Social Media Checks

External applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies may be subject to a Social Media Check.

This involves reviewing publicly available online activity, including public content on platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

The purpose is to identify publicly available content that may raise concerns for an employer.

Applicants should therefore ensure that their public online presence is professional and does not contain material that could create concerns during recruitment.

Civil Service Recruitment Principles

Civil Service recruitment is based on merit, fair competition and open recruitment principles.

The Civil Service also promotes diversity and equal opportunities.

Eligible candidates with disabilities may be able to participate through the Disability Confident Scheme, while eligible civil servants at risk of redundancy may be considered through the Redeployment Interview Scheme.

Why Consider This DVSA Apprenticeship?

This vacancy offers several advantages for candidates who want to establish a career in administration, government or commercial operations.

Key benefits include:

See also MHA Administrator

£30,485 annual salary.
Permanent employment.
Level 3 Business Administration qualification.
Earn while you learn.
Practical workplace experience.
Civil Service pension.
25–30 days annual leave.
Bank holidays and privilege day.
Hybrid working opportunity.
Flexible working options.
Career development opportunities.
Exposure to contract management.
Experience working with suppliers and stakeholders.
Experience with financial reporting and invoice reconciliation.
Data and KPI reporting experience.
Potential access to further professional qualifications.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is:

11:55 pm on Friday 18 September 2026

Applicants should not wait until the final few hours to submit their application.

The online test and full application must both be completed by the stated closing deadline.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through the official Civil Service Jobs recruitment platform.

Search for:

Contract and Operations Support – L3 Business Admin apprentice

Reference number:

475651

Before applying, carefully check the eligibility requirements, particularly the apprenticeship residency rules, qualification requirements and right-to-work conditions.

Candidates should also prepare their CV, 500-word personal statement and 250-word Managing a Quality Service behaviour statement before beginning the application.

Application Preparation Tips

To improve your chances of progressing through the recruitment process:

1. Use specific examples

Do not simply state that you are organised or good at administration. Explain when you demonstrated these skills.

2. Show measurable results

Where possible, explain what changed because of your work.

3. Address the person specification

Make sure your personal statement directly demonstrates experience with reporting, invoices, supplier performance, KPIs and administrative support.

4. Prepare your Managing a Quality Service example

The behaviour statement is particularly important because it may be used for an initial sift if the vacancy receives a high number of applications.

5. Keep your evidence truthful

Use your own experience and do not invent responsibilities, qualifications or achievements.

6. Complete the online test promptly

Candidates are advised to complete the verbal judgement test as soon as possible after receiving the invitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a permanent job?

Yes. The advertised contract is permanent and apprenticeship-based.

How much does the DVSA Business Administration Apprentice earn?

The advertised salary is £30,485 per year.

What qualification will I receive?

Successful apprentices will work towards a Level 3 qualification in Business Administration.

See also Junior Service Desk

How many vacancies are available?

There are 2 positions available.

Where are the jobs located?

The vacancy is available in Birmingham, Bristol, Chadderton, Leeds, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham and Swansea.

Can I work part-time?

Yes. Part-time applications are welcomed, but candidates must be able to work at least 32 hours per week.

Is the position hybrid?

Yes. The role is suitable for hybrid working, subject to business requirements. The current expectation is that at least 60% of working time each month will be spent at the designated workplace or another required work location.

Does DVSA offer visa sponsorship for this position?

No. DVSA states that it does not hold a UKVI Skilled Worker sponsor licence and cannot sponsor individuals for Skilled Worker sponsorship.

Can someone outside the UK apply?

Applicants must have the appropriate right to work in the UK and meet the apprenticeship eligibility requirements, including the applicable residency requirements.

Do I need GCSE Maths and English?

Yes. Applicants must hold GCSE grade C/Level 4 in Maths and English or an equivalent qualification.

When is the expected start date?

The role is expected to start in November 2026.

When is the application deadline?

Applications must be completed by 11:55 pm on Friday 18 September 2026.

Will there be an interview?

Yes. Candidates who successfully progress through the online test and sift may be invited to an online Microsoft Teams interview.

Important Information for Applicants

This vacancy is particularly suitable for candidates who already have the right to work in the UK and want to develop a career in business administration, contract management, commercial operations or the Civil Service.

However, applicants should carefully check all apprenticeship eligibility requirements before applying.

Most importantly, this is not a Skilled Worker visa sponsorship vacancy. DVSA clearly states that it does not have the required sponsor licence.

Final Reminder

The Contract and Operations Support – L3 Business Admin Apprentice vacancy provides an opportunity to earn £30,485, gain a Level 3 Business Administration qualification and develop practical experience within the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

With permanent employment, Civil Service pension benefits, annual leave, hybrid working opportunities and career development support, it may be an attractive option for eligible applicants looking to begin or develop a career in UK government administration.

Application deadline: 11:55 pm, Friday 18 September 2026.

Reference: 475651

Expected start: November 2026

Visa sponsorship: Not available. Applicants must already have the appropriate right to work in the UK.

Official Application

Applicants should verify the latest vacancy information and submit their application through the official Civil Service Jobs vacancy before the closing deadline.

Source: Civil Service Jobs / Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)

Apply via official website

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