Business Support Apprentice

Summary

Collecteco partner with corporates to donate surplus furniture, equipment and materials to charities, schools, NHS trusts and other not for profit good causes in the community. We do this so that good causes can spend their funding on their core activities. This also supports our clients’ social and environmental objectives.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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£7.55 - £12.21 per hour (depending on age). This will be reviewed over the duration of your apprenticeship

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday (09:00 - 17:30).

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 July 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

Upload client details to our CRM and other systems to ensure we keep track of communications and actions
Producing documents as needed to support the smooth operation of the company
Working with the finance director to help keep records up to date and help produce document, reports, etc
Keeping records of donations and producing documents to support reporting
Helping the managing director develop and maintain strong procedures and processes
Upload inventories to our website so that good causes can see what is available
Other administration and organisational tasks (with full training given) to help the company run smoothly – we are a small team and sometimes we all need to pitch in
Work will be based in Newton Abbot, TQ12

Where you'll work

Kingdom Business Centre, Kingdom House
Brunel Road
Newton Abbot
TQ12 4PB

Training

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

College or training organisation

SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE

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

You will spend one day a week at South Devon College and the remaining four days in the workplace.

More training information

College:

Personal responsibilities and working in a business environment · Working with and supervising others
Managing information and producing documents
Providing and maintaining administrative services
Developing and evaluating own performance at work
Communicating in a business environment
Customer service skills
IT Skills
Policies, procedures and legislation
Effective team working
Problem solving
Project Management

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4/C)
Maths (grade 4/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

IT skills
Attention to detail
Customer care skills
Strong English
Build strong bonds
Positive attitude

About this company

Established in 2005, Steve Sliney had prior been working in the recycling sector and later worked with a community furniture project. Because of this background, he noticed how much quality commercial furniture and equipment was going to waste. Although there were a lot of projects able to help householders reuse domestic furniture and equipment, there was not enough around to help businesses and other organisations. Collecteco’s mission is simple: to help organisations donate furniture, equipment, and materials to good causes.

Company benefits

Regular pay reviews in line with your development and increased contribution/responsibilities.

After this apprenticeship

Opportunity to progress into a full-time, permanent role. Access to further training and qualifications as the role demands and to aid progression PDP to be discussed and agreed with the apprentice within 6 months of them starting their apprenticeship. Regular reviews to support with the apprentice’s development and performance. Mentoring and support from experienced professionals.

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