Level 3 Business Apprenticeship at Silicone Engineering
SILICONE ENGINEERING LIMITED
Lancashire (BB1 3HU)
Closes in 21 days (Friday 13 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 23 October 2026
Contents
Summary
Provide support in carrying out administrative duties in the commercial office & reception, including checking/processing customer queries and purchase orders.
- Wage
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£17,000 a year
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
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Monday- Thursday 8:00am- 4:45pm, Friday 8:00am- 12:30pm
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
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Monday 30 November 2026
- Duration
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1 year 8 months
- Positions available
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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
Job Role:
- Receiving and logging the purchase orders in accordance with the commercial manual within the required time frames. Checking the accuracy of information on the PO, verifying cost base and previous pricing, cross checking against quotations if available, consulting with the engineers on accuracy of drawings or specifications provided
- Raising and scheduling production works orders to accommodate production workload and lead times
- Providing customers with accurate and quick feedback as to statuses of the orders and deliveries
- Provide an effective communications link between external and internal stakeholders
- Ensure effective communication internally with associated departments and externally with customers and suppliers to progress customer orders efficiently
- Check and verify all aspects of customer orders before entering them onto the system and conduct maintenance to amend, record and eliminate errors
- Reception duties; answering the calls and welcoming the visitors, running the organisation meeting rooms’ calendar, uploading drawings onto the system, logging NCRs and creating packs, assist with the Fire Evacuation procedure etc…
Functional Duties:
- Adhere to the guidelines set by the commercial orders manual, the commercial enquiries manual and Health and Safety policies to satisfy company and customer needs, ensuring accuracy
- Communicate professionally when emailing, making or taking phone calls, and in person to ensure delivery of a quality customer service
- Ensure accuracy in the detail of contract orders and verify/compare with the issued quotations by adhering to the commercial guidelines and manuals
- Complete training relevant to the Commercial Department and develop knowledge, techniques and skills to improve performance against KPIs
- Provide cover for other member(s) of the department when required
- Complete training relevant to the role and develop knowledge, techniques and skills to improve performance against KPIs
- Occasionally undertake, other duties as necessary, to meet the needs of the Company's business
Reporting to: Head of Commercial and Marketing
Department: Commercial
Where you'll work
Greenbank Business Park
Blakewater Road
Blackburn
Lancashire
BB1 3HU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BLACKBURN 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 training will be with Blackburn College and the Apprentice will need to attend college one day a week
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English Language (grade 4 or above)
- English Literature (grade 4 or above)
- Maths (grade 4 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
- Customer care skills
- Team working
About this employer
Established since 1959, Silicone Engineering were one of the first pioneering companies to specialise in the manufacture and supply of silicone rubber for sealing, insulation and protection of applications in a wide range of industrial sectors.
http://www.silicone.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Half day finish on Friday’s
- Company Pension
- Occupational Health Screening program
- Free Parking
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- Commercial Assistant role with potential to progress
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BLACKBURN COLLEGE
Apprenticeship Team
apprenticeships@blackburn.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000060747.
Apply now
Closes in 21 days (Friday 13 November 2026 at 11:59pm)