Apprentice Business Administrator

JAMES OLIVER CONSERVATORIES LTD

LINCOLN (LN3 4NL)

Closes in 13 days (Tuesday 15 September 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 2 September 2026

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Summary

Train as a Technical Sales Designer with James Oliver Conservatories in Lincoln. Learn to meet homeowners, develop practical conservatory and extension designs, produce CAD drawings and quotations, and guide customers from enquiry to order. Full workplace training and a Level 3 apprenticeship with Lincoln College are provided.

Wage

£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Pay will be reviewed as the apprentice's skills and responsibilities develop.

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
37.5 hours across five days, 08:30-17:00, Monday to Saturday. Saturday cover is worked on a rota, with a weekday off when a Saturday is worked.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Wednesday 30 September 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

Initially, the apprentice will accompany experienced team members and receive close support. As their knowledge and confidence develop, they will begin managing their own enquiries and projects.

Duties will include:

  • Attend customers' homes with experienced team members to discuss their ideas, requirements and budget.
  • Take initial dimensions, photographs and relevant site information.
  • Develop attractive and practical conservatory, extension and living-space designs.
  • Produce accurate CAD drawings, specifications and detailed quotations.
  • Present designs clearly, explain available products and revise proposals following customer feedback.
  • Follow up enquiries and help customers make informed purchasing decisions without cold calling or hard selling.
  • Work with the surveying, order-processing and installation teams to convert accepted quotations into orders.
  • Build knowledge of products, construction, planning considerations, Building Regulations, materials and performance.

Where you'll work

ALLENBY TRADING ESTATE
1 CROFTON ROAD
LINCOLN
LN3 4NL

Training

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

Training provider

LINCOLN 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

  • The successful candidate will work towards achieving their Apprenticeship Standard in Apprentice Business Administrator Level 3.
  • A dedicated work-based trainer will be assigned to the candidate to provide them with support and guidance throughout the course.
  • This is a predominantly work-based programme with College attendance required once a month. All learning will take place at the candidate's place of employment/College and within their contracted working hours.

More training information

Course outline:

https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0070-v1-0

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English and Maths (grade A*/9 – C/4)

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

Other requirements

The role will involve visiting customers' homes and occasional construction sites. A full UK driving licence will be required before attending customer appointments independently. Saturday working is required on a rota.

About this employer

We are a retail and construction business. We sell furniture and homewares, design and build conservatories and single storey extensions, and fit replacement windows and doors

https://www.jamesoliverhome.co.uk/ (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).

  • On successful completion, there is a clear route into a permanent full-time Technical Sales Designer position, with further opportunities to develop within James Oliver Conservatories Ltd.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LINCOLN COLLEGE

Kateryna Shevchenko

apprenticeships@lincolncollege.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000050975.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Tuesday 15 September 2026 at 11:59pm)