Office Administration Apprentice
LINCOLNSHIRE POND PLANTS LTD
Market Rasen (LN8 6HF)
Closes in 16 days (Sunday 22 March 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 5 March 2026
Contents
Summary
Lincolnshire Pond Plants is recruiting an Office Administration Apprentice to join our friendly, family-run team. You’ll gain hands-on experience in customer support, online sales, data entry and general office duties, with full training and the chance to work across different areas of our growing retail and wholesale plant business.
- Wage
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£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Starting apprenticeship wage of £8.00 per hour
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
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Normal working hours are 08.00 – 16.30 Monday to Friday, with the addition of working every other Saturday.
40 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 30 March 2026
- Duration
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1 year 6 months
- Positions available
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2
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
Lincolnshire Pond Plants is a thriving, family-run business based in the heart of Lincolnshire, specialising in high-quality aquatic plants for ponds and tropical fish tanks. Our Head Office is located in Brookenby, and we have recently opened a new retail store in Boston, offering one of the largest selections of aquatic plants in the region.
As our new Office Administration Apprentice, you will receive full training and ongoing support to develop your knowledge of our business, systems and procedures. We are a close-knit, friendly team, and this role offers the opportunity not only to provide administrative support but also to gain experience across different areas of the business.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Answering telephone calls and assisting customers with enquiries
- Administering our online sales platforms, including responding to messages and queries
- Accurately entering data and organising, filing and storing paperwork and electronic records
- Supporting all aspects of general office administration
- Maintaining and updating Excel spreadsheets
- Processing customer orders efficiently
- Gathering and recording customer feedback
- Assisting with social media posts and updates
- Supporting customers in our new retail shop
- Liaising with wholesale customers
- Working collaboratively with other departments, including supporting the warehouse team with picking and packing orders when required
- Developing knowledge of our aquatic plant range and wider business operations
- Undertaking any other duties appropriate to the role
Your usual place of work will be Brookenby Business Park, close to Market Rasen in Lincolnshire. There will also be opportunities to work from our new retail store in Boston, where we will provide transport between the two sites.
Where you'll work
Unit 12C
Brookenby Business Park, Brookenby, Binbrook
Market Rasen
LN8 6HF
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
TEC PARTNERSHIP
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
All deliveries for this apprenticeship will take place within your place of work. A dedicated Vocational Trainer will visit on average once every 4 weeks, to establish a personal learning and development plan, outlining a schedule of training activities and business objectives.
You will complete a mixture of on and off-the-job training, including workshops, face-to-face training and working towards creating a portfolio of relevant practical evidence. You’ll also be supported by your colleagues at all times, and will have a full induction.
You will have a review every 8-12 weeks with your Line Manager and Trainer to discuss your progress.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C or above (or equivalent))
- Maths (grade 4/C or above (or equivalent))
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Patience
- Confident telephone manner
- Friendly and approachable
- Reliable
- Flexible
Other requirements
Lincolnshire Pond Plants is based on Brookenby Business Park on the outskirts of Binbrook. As this is a rural location, please check the address and ensure you would be able to report for work on a daily basis. There will be opportunities to also work from our new retail store in Boston, where we can provide transport from our Head Office in Brookenby.
As part of the role, there will be times when you may need to assist in other areas of the business, including our packing and warehouse teams.
About this employer
Lincolnshire Pond Plants is a thriving, family-run business based on the historic grounds of RAF Binbrook, proudly supplying award-winning aquatic plants across the UK. With gold accolades from RHS shows, including the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, the team is passionate about quality, expertise and exceptional customer service. From hardy water lilies to tropical aquarium plants, they combine specialist knowledge with a warm, personal approach. Joining Lincolnshire Pond Plants means becoming part of a dedicated, supportive family team where your contribution truly matters and no two days are the same.
After this apprenticeship
This apprenticeship programme provides a fantastic opportunity for apprentices to build a strong foundation of on-the-job and off-the-job learning. With strong growth ambitions, we offer an environment where your skills are valued, and your career can thrive. You’ll be working in a culture that encourages development, promotes well-being, and values teamwork.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
TEC PARTNERSHIP
Claire
myapprenticeship@grimsby.ac.uk
01472311222
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000019454.
Apply now
Closes in 16 days (Sunday 22 March 2026 at 11:59pm)