Business Administration Apprentice

Summary

Join Colbea as a Business Admin Apprentice! Support events, training, and business advice bookings, with marketing and data analysis tasks. Be part of launching our new Digital Forum in Colchester and gain hands-on experience in a not-for-profit helping small businesses across Essex.

Wage

£13,741 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm with a one hour lunch break

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Are you ready to take your first step into the world of business support,
events, and community impact?

Join Colbea, a not-for-profit organisation helping businesses across Essex thrive. We’re looking for a motivated and friendly Business Administration Apprentice to support our busy Business Support Programme Manager.

This is a hands-on role where you’ll learn essential skills and gain real
experience in a supportive environment — and play a key part in the exciting launch of Colbea’s new Digital Forum on Queen Street this Autumn.

Your role will include:

Booking business advice sessions, supporting training workshops and networking events
Answering phone calls and taking accurate notes
Keeping client records up to date using our CRM system
Helping analyse business advice data and preparing reports for local authorities and stakeholders
Supporting our marketing efforts (social media, newsletters and
website updates)
General office support: setting up meeting rooms, handling post, and greeting clients
Playing a vital role in the setup of our brand-new office at the Digital Forum

Why Colbea?

You’ll work closely with local councils and learn how we support the regional economy
You’ll gain behind-the-scenes insight into small business support, events and enterprise development
You’ll be part of a passionate, forward-thinking team making a difference across Tendring and Colchester
You’ll work from our new Queen Street base in the heart of Colchester’s digital and creative quarter

About you:

Organised, curious and great with people
Keen to develop admin, marketing and data skills
Comfortable with tech and happy to learn new systems
Excited to be part of a growing, impactful organisation

Find out more about us: colbea.co.uk/about-us
Learn about our new space: colbea.co.uk/the-digital-forum

Where you'll work

COLCHESTER BUSINESS CENTRE
1 GEORGE WILLIAMS WAY
COLCHESTER
CO1 1JS

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Your training plan

The apprentice will be working towards the Business Administrator Level 3 apprenticeship standard
Monthly classes at Colchester Institute (Colchester Campus)

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

6 GCSEs including maths and English (grade 9-4/A*-C)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Analytical skills
Initiative
Curiousity

Other requirements

Occasionally work supporting events after hours and offsite may be required and time will be given back in lieu. Moving to Queen Street in Autumn 2025.

About this company

Established in 1982, Colbea is a not-for-profit business support and enterprise agency designed to be an incubation centre for small to medium sized businesses. We provide office space, virtual tenancies, meeting/training room hire, business advice and training opportunities. Colbea helps new businesses get off the ground and supports businesses to develop into successful ventures. Our sole aim is to see the economic prosperity of the region improved through new business development. We’re a small team of 5, operating across 2 business centres in Colchester and would welcome a new member to the team who’s willing to learn and can bring a fresh pair of eyes and energy!

https://www.colbea.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Employee Assistance Programme from passing of probation.

After this apprenticeship

Following the apprenticeship, there may be opportunities to progress into a permanent Business Support or Marketing Assistant role at Colbea. The skills gained could also lead to careers in business administration, events coordination, customer service, or local government support roles across the wider industry.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

Colchester Institute - Apprenticeship Team

ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

01206 712043

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000320837.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 31 July 2025

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

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