Careers

The Business

Based at the Barbican Centre, this Business Administration Apprenticeship is a great opportunity to gain a broad understanding of the fundamental running of a retail business within the Arts and Culture retail sector.

The Barbican is an international arts, conference, and education centre in the heart of the City of London. We are London’s Creative Catalyst for arts, curiosity, and enterprise. Across our theatres, concert halls, cinemas, galleries, business venues and public and community spaces, we spark creative possibilities and transformation for artists, audiences, and communities – to inspire, connect and provoke debate. We present an unparalleled variety of performing and visual arts of world class calibre, as well as hosting extensive commercial activity.

Our retail spaces are widely recognised as a fantastic example of a cultural retail offer, with carefully curated products that are accessible to all visitors and support independent businesses and makers.  Our retail offer comprises of a main Foyer Shop and Art Gallery shop which is re-imagined three times per year to coincide with Art Gallery programming.  We also present pop-up retail spaces that support the programming of the centre with theatre and music related merchandise. 

The Person

We are looking for an apprentice to support several major aspects of the retail business, from operations to buying, merchandising and e-commerce.  The successful candidate will provide administration support to the office-based team and will have the opportunity to work on projects to improve the retail offer.

If you an enthusiastic and versatile person who has a passion for retail within the arts, we would love to hear from you.  You do not need to have any retail experience, just a positive attitude and a willingness to learn within this prestigious institution.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is flexible and self-motivated.
• Can demonstrate an ability to work on their own initiative, as well within the team.
• Is able to problem solve.
• Has strong attention to detail.

You will be expected to work 35hours a week, Monday to Friday.

The Role

This apprenticeship role is based at the Barbican Centre and will last for 18 months (including time to complete your End Point Assessment).

If you are enthusiastic and committed to achieving your Business Administration Level 3 apprenticeship and are eligible to apply, we would love to hear from you.

To qualify for this apprenticeship, you will need to be:

• 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays
• Living in England
• Not in full-time education at the time of applying

If you are a non-UK citizen – you need to have permission from the UK government to live in

the UK (not for educational purposes) and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of the apprenticeship.

Selected apprenticeships require evidence of English and Maths GCSE Grade C/5 or equivalent.

If we request specific qualification evidence it will be required before applications are considered, please send copies of your certificates and application reference number to [email protected] .

Prior learning: If you have prior learning e.g., a similar or higher level of qualification like the apprenticeship we will be unable to consider your application as your prior learning will not meet the funding rule criteria. If you have prior experience in a similar role to the apprenticeship your experience may also exclude you from an apprenticeship.

If you have any questions on this, please contact [email protected]

Selection for the apprenticeship is on the basis of suitability and commitment to the apprenticeship not qualification.

Please see the Job Information Pack for further information. 

Please ensure you answer the questions included in the pack in the Supporting Information section on the application form.

Closing date:  12 noon on August 5  2024