Operations Apprentice
PORTLAND PORT LIMITED
Portland (DT5 1PP)
Closes in 26 days (Thursday 14 August 2025)
Posted on 18 July 2025
Contents
Summary
The Landside Operations Apprentice will play a key role in supporting the Landside Services Department at Portland Port. This hands-on role offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in port operations, administration, and customer service, while contributing to the safe and efficient support of vessels, tenants, and customers.
- Wage
-
£14,722.50 to £23,809.50, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday 08.30- 17.00
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 1 September 2025
- Duration
-
1 year 3 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
Within the Landside there will be various requirements to fulfil requests from vessels and landside customers. Below is a list of possible jobs which would more than likely be required on a weekly basis:
Key Responsibilities
Service Coordination: Act as a first point of contact for service requests, ensuring prompt communication and task delegation.
Financial Administration: Assist with billing, invoicing, purchasing, and expense tracking across departments.
System Management: Help maintain internal systems such as asset management, waste recording, and compliance documentation.
Operational Support: Liaise with contractors, manage filing systems, and support logistical tasks like ordering labour and materials.
Health & Safety Compliance: Work within key safety frameworks including the Health and Safety at Work Act and Docks Regulations.
Training & Development: Participate in ongoing learning and support port operations flexibly, including outside standard hours.
Where you'll work
Portland Port Business Centre
Castletown
Portland
DT5 1PP
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WEYMOUTH AND KINGSTON MAURWARD 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
While employed, you’ll complete the Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship through Weymouth College. This course includes:
One day per week college attendance.
Training in communication, project coordination, and business operations.
A duration of approximately 15 months plus end-point assessment.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 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
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
Other requirements
You MUST be prepared to commit to your work and training for the duration of the apprenticeship. You will be required to attend an interview and assessment at Weymouth College prior to your application being passed on. If a suitable candidate is found prior to the advertised closing date, it may close earlier so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
About this employer
Portland Port, located on the south coast of Dorset, is a privately owned commercial port that plays a vital role in the UK’s maritime infrastructure. Originally a Royal Navy base, it has evolved into a thriving multi-use facility supporting a wide range of operations. The port’s core business includes marine services such as cruise ship berthing, bunkering, ship-to-ship transfers, and vessel maintenance. It offers 24/7 access to deep, sheltered waters close to major shipping lanes, making it ideal for both commercial and defence-related maritime traffic. Portland Port also hosts a variety of industrial tenants, including fuel storage and distribution, cement and feed import terminals, and ship repair services. It supports infrastructure and energy projects, including the proposed Powerfuel Portland Energy Recovery Facility, which aims to generate electricity and potentially supply shore power to vessels. The port operates under strict safety and environmental regulations, including COMAH and licences for handling hazardous materials. It is also a key economic contributor to the local area, employing over 50 staff directly and supporting hundreds more through its tenants. With a strong focus on sustainability and community engagement, Portland Port continues to expand its role in commercial, defence, and clean energy sectors.
After this apprenticeship
Following completion of the apprenticeship the right candidate may be offered a position as a permanent member of staff.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WEYMOUTH AND KINGSTON MAURWARD COLLEGE
Apprenticeships
apprenticeships@weymouth.ac.uk
01305 208709
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000332564.
Apply now
Closes in 26 days (Thursday 14 August 2025)
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