Business Administration Apprenticeship
THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PLUMBING&HEATING ENGINEERING
Basildon, CHELMSFORD
Closes in 13 days (Friday 24 October 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 10 October 2025
Contents
Summary
Join the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) — a professional body and educational charity — in a varied apprenticeship combining administration, marketing, and digital communications. Gain hands-on experience, real responsibility, and a nationally recognised qualification.
- Wage
-
£18,000 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Following year salary will change depending on age: 16 to 18 years old - £9.90 18-20 years old - £10.70 per hour 21+ years old- £12.91 per hour
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
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9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday
Occasional work - including attendance at events, outside these hours may be required.
35 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 1 December 2025
- Duration
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1 year 9 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
You’ll play a key role in supporting the growth of CIPHE membership by helping to recruit, retain, and re-engage members, while also promoting and delivering membership services.
You’ll be part of the Membership team but work closely with colleagues across the organisation. The role is varied and offers exposure to administration, marketing, and events. Typical duties include:
Membership & Administration
- Process and update member information using Microsoft Dynamics CRM
- Handle payments, audience segmentation, and data quality improvements
- Respond to enquiries from members/applicants/public with high standard of customer service
- Prepare and dispatch welcome packs, certificates, and application materials
- Support membership recruitment, retention, and reinstatement activities
- Assist with Engineering Council registration processes, including application handling, assessor liaison, and mentor matching
- Ensure GDPR compliance in all data handling
Digital Marketing & Communications:
- Create and schedule engaging content across social media platforms
- Monitor social media performance, engagement trends, and competitor activity
- Assist in producing e-shots, newsletters, and tailored email campaigns
- Upload and update website content, including news and blog posts
- Contribute to campaign planning meetings with creative ideas
- Administrative support for, and participation in, activities of Marketing & Comms Committee
Events & Campaign Support
- Assist with event preparation, logistics, signage, promotional materials, and communications
- Support on-site at industry events, promoting CIPHE and signing up new members
- Capture event photos and assist with basic video content creation
Data & Reporting
- Compile monthly marketing reports covering social media, email campaigns, and website traffic
- Conduct market research on competitors and audience behaviour
- Use insights to suggest content ideas and marketing improvements
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- 3 Capricorn Centre, Cranes Farm Road, Basildon, SS14 3JA
- SAXON HOUSE, 27 DUKE STREET, CHELMSFORD, CM1 1HT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
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
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade C/4)
- Maths (grade C/4)
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
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
- Presentation skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Good Time Management
- Interest in digital marketing
- Positive & Professional
- Honest
Other requirements
Occasional attendance at exhibitions/ conferences in other parts of the UK. You’ll spend much of your time working at a computer — updating records, sending emails, and managing data accurately. Some tasks will be repetitive or routine but are essential for the smooth running of the organisation. You’ll need to stay organised and manage your time well to meet deadlines. Attention to detail is important — mistakes in data or communication can have real impacts. You’ll work closely with colleagues, some who will be in the office and others based elsewhere in the UK. You will need to follow instructions carefully while developing independence. You’ll be part of events and marketing activities, which may occasionally require flexibility with working hours. You’ll be supported and trained throughout, building skills and confidence across administration, marketing, and customer service.
About this employer
Established in 1906, the CIPHE is the professional body dedicated to raising standards and protecting public health in the plumbing and heating industry. As a registered charity, our mission is to support and inspire professionals to deliver safe, sustainable, and high-quality services that make a real difference in people’s lives. With over 7,500 members, we champion education, technical excellence, and ethical practice, offering guidance, training, and recognition across all career stages — from apprentices to experienced engineers. Joining the CIPHE means becoming part of a purpose-led organisation that values learning, integrity, and the positive impact skilled professionals have on society. Based in Essex with national reach, we operate as a supportive, professional team dedicated to making a real impact across the industry.
After this apprenticeship
This apprenticeship offers a chance to kickstart a career in business and marketing with a wide-ranging and hands-on role at the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, including:
- Practical experience in membership services, marketing and business administration
- Digital skills across CRM, CMS, social media, and email marketing platforms
- Experience in event coordination and customer engagement
- Understanding of professional membership growth strategies
- A nationally recognised business administration qualification
This role is ideal for someone who is confident in communicating with people, organised, curious, digitally savvy, and keen to learn how business, marketing, and membership development work together to drive growth in a professional organisation.
On completion, you could progress into roles such as Membership Administrator, Marketing Assistant, or Communications Coordinator, or continue your development through higher-level apprenticeships or further qualifications.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Leon Black
Leon.Black@essex.gov.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000345936.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Friday 24 October 2025 at 11:59pm)
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