Admin assistant | Explore careers (2024)

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job.

Relevant subjects include:

• Level 2 International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) Certificate in IT User Skills, previously called European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)
• Level 2 or 3 Business and Administration
• T Level in Management and Administration

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• guide to T Levels
• search for courses

You could get into this job through a business administrator advanced apprenticeship.

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

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

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.

You could apply directly to become an admin assistant.

Employers may expect you to have:

• GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent qualifications, including English and maths
• telephone, typing or IT skills

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.