Business Support Apprentice

East Midlands Freeport Limited

Clifton Nottingham (NG11 8NS)

Closes in 14 days (Thursday 10 September 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 27 August 2026

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Summary

We are looking for a proactive and flexible individual to provide administrative support within East Midlands Freeport, whilst undertaking a Business Administration apprenticeship. This will include a wide variety of tasks across the EMF Team to support with the day-to-day running of the company and the delivery of EMF’s objectives.

Wage

£25,000 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Thursday: 8.30am - 4.30pm, Friday 8.30am - 4pm (hours can be flexible)

37 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 1 October 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

  • Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with the wider Freeport Team, internal and external stakeholders and partner organisations, and effectively liaising with colleagues at all levels.
  • Developing a strong foundation in business administration through building a clear picture of the work of EMF and the ongoing tasks required to ensure its success.
  • In particular, providing core administrative support for the Operations Team whilst building experience in the wider work of the Freeport, including;

     - Executive Support; Working alongside the Business Manager and Executive Assistant to provide administrative support to the Senior Leadership Team, including diary management, and meeting and event coordination.

     - Programme Support: Working alongside the Programme Manager to track progress of key programmes and projects, including maintaining and updating information accurately.

     - Governance Support: Working alongside the Governance Lead to assist with key governance processes, including Board and Subcommittee administration and documentation.

Working with the Communications and Marketing Team to assist in responding to a wide range of calls, emails and enquiries effectively, logging relevant information and escalating and/or flagging where necessary, and as required, preparing documents and resources for publication, as well as support with content creation and social media.

Where you'll work

Medical Technologies Innovation Facility MTIF Clifton Campus
Nottingham Trent University Clifton Lane
Clifton Nottingham
NG11 8NS

Training

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

Training provider

LOUGHBOROUGH 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

  • Online attendance with Loughborough College within the first 15 months, one morning per week with onsite sessions in the afternoon to assist with portfolio building and preparation for End Point Assessment.
  • Diarised visits from dedicated Trainer/Assessor.
  • Attendance to Loughborough College for an Induction Day. (Induction to take place on the last Wednesday of the month that you are enrolled, 9:30am-3pm. Confirmation of date provided upon enrolment)
  • Attendance to Loughborough College for Functional Skills (if required).
  • On-the-job training.
  • Off-the-job training.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade A/C or above)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths (grade A/C or above)

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
  • Administrative skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative

Other requirements

  • Experience in relevant administrative or business support roles would be desirable.
  • Experience of, or confidence to develop a wide range of administration skills, including accurate minute taking, event coordination, inbox and database management, as well as drafting correspondence and other documentation.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with a wide variety of senior stakeholders within the public and private sector.
  • Significant IT skills, including proficiency in MS Outlook, Word and Excel. MS Project (or equivalent) and PowerPoint are desirable but not essential.
  • Strong organisational skills, confidence to work autonomously, flexibly and at pace to prioritise workloads effectively, whilst working proactively as part of a wider team, supporting colleagues when required.
  • Ability to successfully undertake the NVQ Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship and associated coursework, adopting a continuous improvement approach.

About this employer

East Midlands Freeport is uniquely located in the centre of the UK. It includes three sites:

  • East Midlands Airport and Gateway Industrial Cluster (EMAGIC) in Leicestershire,
  • Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station site in Nottinghamshire,
  • East Midlands Intermodal Park (EMIP) in Derbyshire.

Each location has excellent transport links and freight infrastructure to support trade and connect to all areas of the country, including other freeports.

Our vision is to transform the East Midlands through economic growth – by harnessing our central location, transport links and unrivalled expertise to enable investment, innovation and collaboration.

We are committed to creating tens of thousands of jobs, boosting skills, and accelerating the region’s commitment to decarbonisation through sustainable development and low carbon energy investments.

https://www.emfreeport.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Annual leave entitlement of 28 days including bank holidays.

  • Access to employee discounts, pension scheme, cycle to work scheme, car lease scheme.

After this apprenticeship

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

Potential to continue onto a further apprenticeship such as project management.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE

Naomi Kwasa

naomi.kwasa@emfreeport.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000047122.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Thursday 10 September 2026 at 11:59pm)