- Category
- Admin & Office
Job summary
Why an Apprenticeship with the Planning Inspectorate?
As an apprentice in the Planning Inspectorate, you will work within one of our casework teams dealing with appeals, examinations, or applications. You’ll have three different 5-month placements across your apprenticeship, working in different teams, learning varied ways of working while building core skills. Where possible, placements will align with your studies, allowing you to reinforce knowledge and apply new skills in a real-world environment.
‘Our Service’ group plays a critical role at the heart of the Planning Inspectorate. Working closely with stakeholders, we deal with national infrastructure planning applications, examinations of local plans and ensure appeals are processed effectively and efficiently. You’ll gain experience and knowledge of different teams within these areas, working closely with customers, Inspectors and stakeholders.
We seek enthusiastic, motivated individuals committed to learning and development. You’ll adopt a positive approach, keeping efforts focused on top priorities. You’ll be detail-focused and enjoy the challenge of working at pace with a good level of personal responsibility.
You’ll work in a team of caseworkers in a high-performance culture with the customer at the heart of our work. You’ll collaborate with your team and leaders to deliver casework to quality, time and cost expectations. You’ll gain experience in different areas of the ‘Our Service’ delivery team.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Throughout your apprenticeship, we’ll support your development. You’ll have a dedicated line manager and apprenticeship coach who will regularly check in to support your learning and ensure you’re on track. You’ll be mentored by individuals across the wider team to support your learning across a diverse range of subjects.
The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.
We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.
For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers
Job description
Is a Business Administrator Apprenticeship Right for You?
- Are you organised and pay attention to detail?
- Do you stay motivated and take initiative?
- Are you focused on getting results?
- Can you communicate well with others?
- Do you enjoy working in a team?
- Are you eager to learn and try new things?
- Interested in admin work and learning about the Civil Service and public sector?
An apprenticeship is a great way to earn while you learn. You’ll gain real work experience, build useful skills, and work towards a nationally recognised qualification — all while getting paid. Plus, there are no tuition fees as the programme is fully funded.
This is your journey. To succeed, you’ll need to be proactive: manage your time, seek out opportunities, and connect with others. You’ll get support from the Planning Inspectorate and your training provider, but your commitment is key.
In this role, you’ll:
- Prepare files (digital and paper) to meet deadlines
- Make decisions using our policies and procedures
- Review and create documents with accuracy
- Keep databases and websites up to date
- Communicate with people inside and outside the organisation
- Work with colleagues to improve how things are done
You’ll be supported to complete a Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship. By the end, you’ll have the skills, knowledge and behaviours to succeed in admin roles across the Civil Service, public sector, or private companies. Based on business needs and your performance, there may also be an opportunity for a full-time role in the Planning Inspectorate after the apprenticeship!
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
This role is being advertised at Apprentice AO Grade
Salary for the APP AO Grade role is £22,728.
Working hours:
Standard working week is 37 hours, flexible working hours policy available.
Office Attendance
This role is contractually based at Temple Quay House, Bristol which is currently out of use due to undergoing refurbishment work. In the interim, we have the use of alternative office space in very close proximity to Bristol Temple Meads railway station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview.
Person specification
We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria listed:
Essential Criteria
- Commitment and enthusiasm to undertake a Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship.
- Ability to prioritise and manage your own time.
- IT literate and confident in using Microsoft Office especially outlook, word and excel.
- Good standard of communication skills (written and oral)
- Proactive and positive approach.
For guidance on how to structure your application please visit: About the application process , Civil Service Careers
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
- Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £22,728, Planning Inspectorate contributes £6,584 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.- Flexible working options, including flexi-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
- 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
- Generous family friendly policies.
- Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Strengths.Application
Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:
- A CV: The CV section lets you share your job history. List your jobs, how long you worked at each, and briefly describe your roles and duties. Make sure to show how your experience matches the essential criteria of the job you're applying for. Type or paste this information into the 'Employment History' box in the online application. You can't attach your CV.
- A Personal Statement (1000 words max): The personal statement lets you explain why you're a good fit for the job in more detail. Use it to show how you meet the essential criteria listed in our advert.
If there are many applications, we might use a lead sift. This means we'll first check if you meet the key requirement listed below. If you don't, we won't review the rest of your application.
- Commitment to learn, enthusiasm to undertake a level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship
All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, you will:
- Interviews will be a blend of behaviour and strength questions
Candidates who pass the shortlist stage will receive full assessment details with their interview invitations.
Other Information
Shortlist Date: w/c 8th September 2025
Interview Date: w/c 15th September 2025
Interviews will be held at The Planning Inspectorate, Runway East, 101 Victoria Street, Bristol, BS1 6PU.
The Planning Inspectorate does not fund travel and subsistence for candidates to attend interviews.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Recruitment
The Civil Service Careers site has published a new page for candidates, covering what they should consider before using AI in their applications or interviews. Please click on the link below:
Artificial intelligence and recruitment
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for a period of 3 months from which further appointments can be made.
ID and Documents
If the job needs specific qualifications or memberships and you get the job, you'll need to send scanned or photographed images of them before you start.
We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.
Visa Sponsorship
The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.
Disability Confident Interview scheme/Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service values diversity and offers equal opportunities. We have a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the job's minimum criteria. We will also provide reasonable adjustments to all where possible. For more information please see Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name :Sophie Woodruff
- Email :PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email :PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact in the first instance: The Vacancy Manager via the Recruitment Team (PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk).If you are not satisfied with the response, you receive you should then contact, Chief People Officer, via the Recruitment Team (PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk).
If you are still not satisfied with the response you receive from the Planning Inspectorate, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commission. https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/
