Despatch and Export Business Admin Apprentice
FORT VALE ENGINEERING LIMITED
Burnley (BB12 7ND)
Closes in 27 days (Friday 22 August 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 25 July 2025
Contents
Summary
Fort Vale Engineering has a vacancy for an apprentice working in their despatch and export department. This is an office-based role, with the company expecting the successful applicant to complete a 2-year apprenticeship and gaining a Business Administration Level 3 qualification.
- Wage
-
£15,840 a year
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday: 07:30-16:15.
Friday: 07:30-12:30.
38 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 1 September 2025
- Duration
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1 year 8 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
The primary function of the Export Department is to ensure that all goods and documentation reach their destination without undue delay or complication. This includes that we meet all legal responsibilities particularly to the Country of receipt. The Export function is an integral part of the overall Despatch function and, as such, uses a varied array of carriers (specialising in road, sea, and air freight) to achieve a seamless transportation of Fort Vale goods worldwide.
The main tasks of the role are:
- To complete all day-to-day export duties/activities efficiently and effectively.
- Understand and apply appropriate administration duties to ensure accurate, expedient, and legally compliant exporting is achieved.
- Control documentation and administration of relevant quality certification (e.g. test/ASME and certification of origin).
- Where appropriate, provide advice to the FV Group (and customers) on International Trading Terms (INCOTERMS 2010).
- Ensure International Standard Packing Material (ISPM) is followed and kept up to date.
- Be trained and compliant in the control of secured airfreight.
- Ensure the correct carrier is used in relation to consignee, terms of trading, country of entry and weights and dimensions.
General office export duties/activities include:
- Preparation of delivery notes/invoices, packing lists and certification of origin etc.
- Cross-reference shipment worksheets to final documentation.
- Making advance bookings with the appropriate carrier.
- Working across and with other departments (e.g. Sales, Accounts, Credit Control).
- Providing shipping cost quotations for potential future orders.
- Achieving 5S requirements and actively promoting Health and Safety.
- Completing Air freight shipments:- preparation of full document packs including original invoices, airline security certificates and loading sheets.
- Completing Sea freight shipments:- Full documentation and liaise with Agent.
- Completing Courier shipments:- Full documentation including courier documents.
Who will the candidate interact with on a daily basis:
- The Export Lead (responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the export office).
- The Dispatch and Exports manager.
- Dispatch operatives.
- Internal departments such as sales and finance, as well as our other Fort Vale subsidiaries based in the Netherlands, USA, China, Singapore, and Australia.
- External shipping companies that handle our goods, as well as our customers.
Where you'll work
Calder Vale Park Simonstone Lane Simonstone
Burnley
BB12 7ND
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BLACKBURN COLLEGE
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.
Training schedule
Training will take place at Blackburn College, once a week.
Blackburn College, Feilden Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 1LH.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 5)
- Mathematics (grade 5)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Team working
- Confidence
About this employer
Fort Vale Engineering Ltd is the world leader in the precision manufacture of valves and fittings for the transportation of bulk liquids in the tank container, road tanker and rail industries.
After this apprenticeship
The administration role may be a gateway to further career opportunities, such as management or senior support roles.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BLACKBURN COLLEGE
The Apprenticeship Team
apprenticeships@blackburn.ac.uk
01254 292500
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000333936.
Apply now
Closes in 27 days (Friday 22 August 2025 at 11:59pm)
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