Coronavirus (COVID-19): to find out how we can support you with your apprenticeship including if you have been affected by redundancy, read our updated information.

Business Support Administrative Apprentice Colchester Business Enterprise Agency

During your apprenticeship with Colbea you will gain an invaluable administrative experience such as scheduling, verifying appointments and meetings, preparing presentations and reports, managing enquiries such as face to face, telephone or e-mails, whilst covering the business centre reception desk.

This apprenticeship requires you to apply through the employer's website.

Apply now

Closing date: 18 Jul 2022

Apprenticeship summary

  • Weekly wage

    £180.38

  • Working week

    Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:30 with a 1 hour lunch break

    Total hours per week: 37.50

  • Expected duration

    18 months

  • Possible start date

    01 Aug 2022

  • Date posted

    16 Mar 2022

  • Apprenticeship level

    Advanced
    Level 3 (A level)

  • Reference number

    VAC001834916

  • Positions

    1 available

As part of this role you will be required to study towards the Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard at Colchester Institute.  

Through your work experience you will gain excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the opportunity to work with the CEO and Colbea Board.

At Colbea we can offer an invaluable marketing and event organising experience, working closely with Colbea’s professional PR & Marketing support function. You will also have the opportunity to assist with Colbea’s AGM/Annual General Party event, which this year is a 40th anniversary celebration!

You will learn and gain experience in liaising with internal clients such as Colbea’s Business Advisors, the business centre tenants, your team members and external stakeholders including Colbea’s potential funders and sub-contractors. As a small team you will get the unique opportunity to learn and experience all of the business functions, which will be invaluable to your future career. You will work closely with the Customer Care Administrator to ensure the delivery of excellent client experience across all Colbea services and assist in their daily duties.

You will work effectively as part of the Colbea team to ensure the smooth administration of the Colchester Business Enterprise Agency and its core business activities. You will given experience, knowledge and understanding in all of the administrative functions of a thriving business.

Duties will include:

  • Identifying client needs and sign posting them onto the appropriate person, using both in-person and written methods
  • Supporting Colbea’s clients and visitors by providing an inviting and professional front of house function, guiding guests to the right location, answering telephone calls, taking messages, and keeping reception presentable to the public
  • Monitoring Colbea’s inbound enquiry channels, such as shared mail inboxes and responding to enquiries in a timely and professional manner
  • Scheduling advisory sessions and coordinating with Colbea’s service providers
  • Supporting with accurate data entry of Colbea clients’ details into the database, complying with GDPR regulations
  • Maintaining clients’ files with a high level of accuracy
  • Preparing and managing meeting and training room space for the use of clients and for events, delivering an excellent customer experience
  • Providing administrative support for Colbea’s events and training courses, including our upcoming AGM
  • Supporting Colbea’s core services with a warm and inviting demeanour that exudes a great customer experience
  • Support marketing of business services through newsletters, social media and events
  • Review Colbea’s workflows make suggestions for improvements, working smarter, not harder
  • Consider improvements for Colbea’s workflows in a format that can be reviewed by the management team

This is not an exhaustive list of potential duties but will guide you with understanding of the potential areas of development you may experience. The ideal candidate will be eager to learn with a can-do attitude. The need for flexibility and an open mind will support you in being successful in your development.

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills

  • You should have good IT skills, in particular using Microsoft Office
  • You should be confident and able to explore client’s needs through good conversational skills, forming a positive relationship
  • You will need good planning, organisational and verbal reasoning skills
  • You should have a keen eye for detail, with good numeracy and literacy skills

Personal qualities

  • You should be personally credible, with a calm demeanour that generates the trust and confidence of your team, our clients, and stakeholders
  • You will possess a high degree of integrity, always conducting yourself in professional manner
  • You must be willing to learn and adapt to your environment whilst delivering exceptional service
  • You will see things through to a resolution and meet deadlines for delivery
  • You should be politically aware and emotionally intelligent

Desired qualifications

  • 5 GCSE’s A*- C/9 - 4 including maths and English (or equivalents)
  • All candidates will be required to complete Colchester Institute's mandatory initial assessment process before being put forward to the company. This will consist of online assessments and interview with the relevant department

Future prospects

  • Using the skills, experience, and knowledge you gain during your apprenticeship you could explore a role in administration, as a PA or in project management
  • At Colbea we can offer an invaluable marketing and event organising experience, working closely with Colbea’s professional PR & Marketing support function. You will also have the opportunity to assist with Colbea’s AGM/Annual General Party event, which this year is a 40th anniversary celebration! This could provide you with the opportunity to move into an events or marketing role
  • Colbea is in a unique position to signpost you to other potential employers through the relationships we make with our sponsors, stakeholders, and clients

Things to consider

  • You will be required to work across two sites; however, the rota is supplied in advance

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

  • Colchester Institute - Apprenticeship Team manage the applications to this role and you will be required to complete our initial assessment process before your application gets sent onto the employer
  • Please be advised that the closing date for this role could be brought forward or extended if this vacancy receives a high number or low number of applicants and/or the company recruit before the closing date
  • Whilst there are possible closing and start dates should you be available earlier this can be negotiated with the employer
  • When applying to this role please factor in your transport methods and travel time/distance - will you be able to get to this role within a reasonable time, is it realistic to travel to and from this role on the salary being paid and have you researched your travel options? 

About the employer

Colbea is a not-for-profit award-winning enterprise agency acting as a catalyst for business success across Essex. Colbea provides high quality, inclusive and accessible workspace, business support and creative training programs with an ambition to create economically thriving communities across the region. Since our inception in 1982 in Colchester, Colbea has supported thousands of people to fulfil their business potential through great products, services and through excellent incubation workspace for start-ups, move-on and growing organisations. We have almost 40-years’ experience and expertise in providing modern, relevant high-quality business support through Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) and training in Colchester and the surrounding areas. Colbea has two premises in Colchester supporting approximately 60 new businesses.

Employer

Colchester Business Enterprise Agency

Address

1 George Williams Way

Essex

Colchester

CO1 2JS

You must have JavaScript enabled to view a map of the location

Training

Training provider

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

Applications for this apprenticeship are being processed by Colchester Institute

Contact

Alice Highland 01206 712059 alice.highland@colchester.ac.uk

All delivered within the work place via online training and at Colchester Institute Campus.

Candidates will undertake the Business Administrator Level 3 apprenticeship standard.

Apprenticeship standard

Business administrator

Level 3 (A level)

Employer's Application Instructions

This apprenticeship requires you to apply through the employer's website.

Apply now

Closing date: 18 Jul 2022