Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice

Transport Made Simple

Diss (IP22 4GX)

Closes in 28 days (Friday 31 October 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 3 October 2025

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Summary

You’ll support our busy Diss HQ with customer service, quotations, bookings, purchasing and general admin, all while working towards a recognised qualification. With practical, structured training and the chance to grow within a fast-expanding business, this role is the perfect opportunity for someone polite, organised and eager to learn.

• Wage:

  £17,500 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: Monday to Friday, shifts of either 07:00 - 15:30 / 08.30 - 17:00 OR 08:30 - 17:00 / 10:30 - 19:00. 30 min lunch break per day

  40 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 10 November 2025

• Duration:

  1 year 6 months

• Positions available:

  2

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

• Act as a friendly, helpful and welcoming in-person presence at our Diss site (Group HQ). Greeting visitors, clients, suppliers and contractors at Reception and providing them with appropriate support as required.
• Monitor the Simonds and Flagfinders Bookings inboxes, and support the Group Private Hire Manager with answering queries and generating quotations, ensuring that all customers are responded to promptly, politely and in a manner which maximises revenue generation for the Group.
• Where required, handle telephone calls and redirect callers appropriately, in accordance with Group processes.
• Support the Group Private Hire Manager with administering internal and external room hire bookings and events, including setting up / clearing up hired rooms and ensuring all catering is arranged and provided to a high standard.
• Monitor the Purchasing inbox and undertake purchasing on behalf of all departments, in accordance with processes established by the Finance Director, and to include maintaining an accurate and up-to-date list of authorised general supplies, and validating purchases against Purchase Orders for other purchases.
• Support the Holidays and Day Trips department by confirming bookings, printing confirmations and preparing tour packs for drivers.
• Undertake general administrative duties on behalf of the Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team, including processing of expense claims, travel and accommodation bookings and the raising of Purchase Orders on their behalf.
• Undertake other general administrative duties as required by the Group, as directed by your Line Manager, and other members of our management team.

You will spend your week providing business administration support across the Transport Made Simple Group. Your day will usually begin by checking emails in the bookings and purchasing inboxes, responding to customer enquiries, preparing quotations, and processing purchase orders.

You will greet visitors and suppliers at reception, handle phone calls, and assist with internal and external room bookings, including arranging catering and setting up spaces for meetings and events.

Throughout the week, you’ll support the Holidays and Day Trips department by confirming bookings, printing confirmations, and preparing tour packs for drivers. You’ll also carry out administrative tasks for the Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team, such as processing expense claims, arranging travel, and raising purchase orders.

No two days are exactly the same – you’ll balance regular tasks with ad-hoc requests, ensuring smooth communication across departments and contributing to excellent customer service.

Where you'll work

Roswald House
Oak Drive
Diss
IP22 4GX

Training

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

Training provider

SUFFOLK NEW 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

• Business Administrator Standard
• English and Maths (if required) Level 2

More training information

Your training will begin with a structured induction, introducing you to Transport Made Simple, its values, policies, and key departments. In the first few weeks, you will receive health and safety training, shadow reception and booking processes, and learn the company’s IT systems. Over the next few months, you will develop core skills in customer service, handling enquiries, generating quotations, processing purchase orders, coordinating room bookings, and preparing tour packs. Throughout the apprenticeship, you will have dedicated study time to complete the Level 3 Business Administrator qualification, supported by your workplace mentor and regular progress reviews. As your confidence grows, you will take on greater responsibility for inbox management, administrative tasks, and leadership support, with opportunities to contribute to process improvements and prepare for your end-point assessment.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4/C or equivalent)
• Maths (grade 4/C or equivalent)

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
• Customer care skills
• Flexible
• Enthusiastic
• Eager to learn

Other requirements

An interest in business and/or travel and tourism and/or transport is desirable.

About this employer

We're East Anglia's largest independent passenger transport provider, employing more than 700 team members with a fleet of 350 buses, coaches, minibuses and taxis. We operate a comprehensive network of local bus services which spans from Norwich as far south as north London, and from the east coast as far west as Nottingham and Derby. Working closely in partnership with Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex County Councils, we transport over 2,500 schoolchildren to and from school safely every day on dedicated buses. Our specialist fleet vehicles deliver coach holidays, wheelchair accessible transport and a wide range of corporate transport solutions for clients across a range of sectors. Our success has been built on four core values; being a great place to work, delivering exceptional customer service, using technology to optimise operations and seeking sustainable growth opportunities. Joining us on our journey could kickstart your career, giving you the skills and experience you need to support millions of people get from A to B sustainably every year.

https://transportmadesimple.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

This role offers an excellent foundation for a long-term career in business administration. During the 18-month apprenticeship, you will gain a nationally recognised Level 3 Business Administration qualification, alongside valuable practical experience in customer service, purchasing, and administrative support.

Successful completion of the apprenticeship opens up opportunities to progress into permanent roles within the Group, such as Office Administrator, Customer Service Coordinator, Purchasing Administrator, or other. As Transport Made Simple continues to grow rapidly, there may be longer-term opportunities to move into supervisory or management positions for those who demonstrate initiative, strong performance, and a passion for the business.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE

Natasha Stead

apprenticeshipapplication@suffolk.ac.uk

01473 382600

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000344490.

Apply now

Closes in 28 days (Friday 31 October 2025 at 11:59pm)

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