Business Administration Apprentice (Operations & Purchasing)
COLCHESTER REWIND & REPAIRS LTD
Essex (CO3 0LE)
Closes in 30 days (Saturday 18 July 2026)
Posted on 17 June 2026
Contents
Summary
We are looking for a motivated Business Administration Apprentice to join our growing electrical and mechanical engineering company. You will gain office administration and business operations experience, with a clear progression route into purchasing and procurement and the future opportunity to complete Procurement qualifications.
- Wage
-
£15,600 to £24,784.50, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm with a 1/2 hour lunch break each day
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 20 July 2026
- 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
As a Business Administration Apprentice, you will support the day-to-day running of our busy electrical and mechanical engineering business while working towards your Level 3 Business Administration qualification.
Your duties will include:
- Adding new jobs, quotations and customer information to our management system
- Updating engineer labour, timesheets and job records
- Assisting with the preparation and processing of invoices
- Answering telephone calls and responding to customer enquiries
- Managing emails and supporting general office administration tasks
- Filing and maintaining electronic and paper-based records
- Liaising with customers, suppliers and colleagues in a professional manner
- Learning company procedures and business processes to support the smooth running of the business
- Assisting with purchasing, ordering materials and supplier enquiries as experience develops
- Supporting stock control and stores administration activities as part of your long-term development
This role offers the opportunity to gain experience across multiple areas of the business, with a clear progression pathway into purchasing, procurement and operational support following successful completion of the apprenticeship.
Where you'll work
Moss Road
Stanway
Colchester
Essex
CO3 0LE
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
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
- The apprentice will be working towards the Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard including a City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma for the Business Administrator
- Monthly classes at Colchester Institute (Colchester Campus)
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
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
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
This is primarily an office-based role and will involve spending significant periods working on a computer, using business management software and communicating by telephone and email.
As the role develops, the successful candidate will become involved in stores, purchasing and supplier management activities. This will require confidence when communicating with engineers, suppliers and customers, the ability to make decisions, prioritise workloads and manage competing demands.
There may be occasions where the successful candidate is required to deal with urgent operational issues, delivery delays, supplier disputes and challenging customer enquiries. The ability to remain calm, resilient and professional under pressure is essential.
This role is best suited to someone who is confident, organised, proactive and keen to develop a long-term career within business operations, purchasing and procurement.
About this employer
We are an established electrical and mechanical engineering company based in Colchester, providing installation, maintenance, repair and breakdown services to commercial and industrial customers across Essex, Suffolk and the surrounding areas.
With a team of approximately 15 employees, we deliver a wide range of services including electrical installations, control systems, machinery repairs, mechanical breakdowns, welding and fabrication, pump and motor maintenance, fault finding and planned preventative maintenance. We pride ourselves on providing a professional, reliable service and building long-term relationships with our customers.
Much of our work comes from repeat business and customer recommendations, reflecting our reputation for quality workmanship, responsiveness and customer service. Whether supporting a planned project or responding to an urgent breakdown, we aim to provide practical engineering solutions that keep our customers operating effectively across administration, operations, stores and procurement within a busy engineering environment.
We are an established electrical and mechanical engineering company based in Colchester, providing installation, maintenance, repair and breakdown services to commercial and industrial customers across Essex, Suffolk and the surrounding areas.
With a team of approximately 15 employees, we deliver a wide range of services including electrical installations, control systems, machinery repairs, mechanical breakdowns, welding and fabrication, pump and motor maintenance, fault finding and planned preventative maintenance. We pride ourselves on providing a professional, reliable service and building long-term relationships with our customers.
Much of our work comes from repeat business and customer recommendations, reflecting our reputation for quality workmanship, responsiveness and customer service. Whether supporting a planned project or responding to an urgent breakdown, we aim to provide practical engineering solutions that keep our customers operating effectively across administration, operations, stores and procurement within a busy engineering environment.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
This is intended to be a long-term position within the business rather than solely an apprenticeship placement. Upon successful completion of the Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to progress into a more operational role involving stores, purchasing and supplier management.
As part of this progression, there may be the opportunity to undertake a Level 3 Procurement and Supply qualification to further develop knowledge and skills within purchasing and procurement.
The long-term aim is to develop the successful candidate into a key member of the business with a broad understanding of office administration, purchasing, stores management and business operations, providing support across multiple departments and opportunities for continued career development.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
Colchester Institute - Apprenticeships Team
ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk
01206712043
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000035201.
Apply now
Closes in 30 days (Saturday 18 July 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.