Commercial Assistant Apprentice

ASCENT FLIGHT TRAINING (MANAGEMENT) LIMITED

Bristol (BS16 1FJ)

Closes in 24 days (Sunday 19 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 25 June 2026

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Summary

Start your career in business - no need for full-time university.

We’re offering an exciting opportunity for A-level students to launch a professional career in commercial, procurement, and supplier management.

Wage

£24,000 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Procurement and supply chain practitioner (level 4)
Hours
You will work Monday - Friday, exact hours to be agreed between the apprentice and their manager.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

2 years

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

You’ll play a key role in how we work with both customers and suppliers, helping the organisation make smart, informed commercial decisions.

Typical responsibilities include:

  • Engaging with internal teams and customers to understand requirements
  • Supporting procurement activities (researching suppliers, helping with sourcing)
  • Assisting with contracts and managing supplier relationships
  • Supporting and learning negotiation with suppliers and customers to achieve the best commercial outcomes
  • Helping evaluate options and support commercial decision-making
  • Learning how to identify risks and ensure legal and commercial compliance
  • Developing strong attention to detail when working with data, contracts, and processes

This is a varied role with exposure to both customer interaction and supply chain management, giving you a well-rounded commercial foundation.

Who is this for?

This opportunity is ideal for students who:

  • Are curious about business, aviation, or technology-led organisations
  • Want to earn while they learn
  • Enjoy working with people and solving problems
  • Have a strong eye for detail and take pride in their work
  • Are ready to take the first step into a professional career

Why choose an apprenticeship?

✔ No student debt
✔ Gain real experience employers’ value
✔ Build confidence in a professional environment
✔ Progress faster into your career

Where you'll work

220 Bristol Business Park
The Close
Bristol
BS16 1FJ

Training

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

Training provider

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND STROUD COLLEGE

Training course

Procurement and supply chain practitioner (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Manage relationships with stakeholders.
  • Interpret business requirements by assessing the demand for the product or service.
  • Undertake market analysis to establish potential routes to market.
  • Conduct benchmarking to evaluate costs against industry standards.
  • Prepare or contribute to the drafting of a sourcing plan which meets business needs, including corporate social responsibility factors.
  • Use the organisation's documentation designed for commercial procurement processes for the supply of goods and services.
  • Notify potential suppliers of proposal requirements.
  • Use selection and award criteria to source requirements from external suppliers evidencing how supplier bids are evaluated against them.
  • Analyse the financial implications of decisions and identify cost-saving opportunities.
  • Liaise and negotiate with suppliers and stakeholders to ensure the timely delivery of purchased goods and services.
  • Support contract award and briefing of suppliers in line with the organisations processes and governance.
  • Monitor and manage contract performance to meet time, costs, service, and quality objectives.
  • Manage contract performance and advise suppliers on any areas for improvement.
  • Maintain contract documentation such as change control, version control.
  • Use IT and software to produce spreadsheets and presentation packages to communicate information.
  • Identify, raise, and facilitate discussions with stakeholders to resolve any issues or risks.
  • Analyses sustainability challenges and risks at each stage of the product or contract life cycle.
  • Manage information in accordance with policy and processes.
  • Continuously review work processes to identify and eliminate inefficiencies and simplify workflow.
  • Use available systems and tools to identify relevant data.
  • Interpret, analyse, and evaluate data through questioning to drive actionable intelligence and support decision making.
  • Use horizon scanning to identify future changes in procurement and contracting.
  • Manage relationships with stakeholders.
  • Interpret business requirements by assessing the demand for the product or service.
  • Undertake market analysis to establish potential routes to market.
  • Conduct benchmarking to evaluate costs against industry standards.
  • Prepare or contribute to the drafting of a sourcing plan which meets business needs, including corporate social responsibility factors.
  • Use the organisation's documentation designed for commercial procurement processes for the supply of goods and services.
  • Notify potential suppliers of proposal requirements.
  • Use selection and award criteria to source requirements from external suppliers evidencing how supplier bids are evaluated against them.
  • Analyse the financial implications of decisions and identify cost-saving opportunities.
  • Liaise and negotiate with suppliers and stakeholders to ensure the timely delivery of purchased goods and services.
  • Support contract award and briefing of suppliers in line with the organisations processes and governance.
  • Monitor and manage contract performance to meet time, costs, service, and quality objectives.
  • Manage contract performance and advise suppliers on any areas for improvement.
  • Maintain contract documentation such as change control, version control.
  • Use IT and software to produce spreadsheets and presentation packages to communicate information.
  • Identify, raise, and facilitate discussions with stakeholders to resolve any issues or risks.
  • Analyses sustainability challenges and risks at each stage of the product or contract life cycle.
  • Manage information in accordance with policy and processes.
  • Continuously review work processes to identify and eliminate inefficiencies and simplify workflow.
  • Use available systems and tools to identify relevant data.
  • Interpret, analyse, and evaluate data through questioning to drive actionable intelligence and support decision making.
  • Use horizon scanning to identify future changes in procurement and contracting.

Training schedule

You learning provider will be SGS College, and you will attend the Filton Campus on a day release basis.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • 5 (grade 5 and above)
  • Maths (grade 5 and above)

A Level in:

Business (grade A-C)

Desirable qualifications

A Level in:

  • Economics (grade A-C)
  • Economics (grade A-C)
  • Maths (grade A-C)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Willingness to learn

Other requirements

You don’t need work experience - we’re interested in your potential.

You may already have strengths such as:

🤝 Teamwork - group projects, sports, or volunteering
💬 Communication - presentations, discussions, working with others
🧠 Problem-solving - coursework, challenges, logical thinking
⏱️ Organisation - managing deadlines and priorities
🔍 Attention to detail - accuracy in work and focus on getting things right
🌱 Willingness to learn - curiosity and a positive attitude
And you will love technology and a desire to use it to improve our future!!

About this employer

Why Ascent?

Ascent is a exciting business at the heart of advanced training solutions. We deliver the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) and work across aircraft, simulators, and cutting-edge technology — combining aviation, innovation, and operational delivery.

This means you’ll be part of a business where commercial decisions truly matter, supporting complex programmes and high-value partnerships.

https://ascentflighttraining.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

What you’ll gain:

  • A recognised Level 4 qualification (equivalent to first year of university)
  • Hands-on experience in a unique, high-profile business
  • Skills in negotiation, commercial thinking, and relationship management
  • Exposure to both customers and suppliers

A pathway into careers such as:

  • Commercial Officer
  • Procurement Specialist
  • Business or Project roles

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND STROUD COLLEGE

Elaine Baillie

elaine.baillie@sgscol.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000039289.

Apply now

Closes in 24 days (Sunday 19 July 2026 at 11:59pm)