Operational Relationship Apprentice
APS Group Ltd
Runcorn (WA7 3DL)
Closes in 24 days (Monday 17 November 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 15 October 2025
Contents
Summary
An exciting opportunity for an Operational Relationship Apprentice to support coordination between internal Account Management and Production teams. Working under the guidance of experienced colleagues, you will assist with internal communications, process coordination, and general administrative support to ensure smooth operational workflows.
- Wage
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£20,000 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
After the first year of the apprenticeship, salary will increase to national minimum wage for the age group.
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
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Monday to Friday, specific working hours to be agreed with the successful candidate.
40 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 24 November 2025
- Duration
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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
As an apprentice, you will develop the foundational skills required for a career in operational relationship management.
This apprenticeship offers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, while studying towards a relevant qualification. The role will involve learning about client requirements, production processes, compliance standards, and best practices across the business. The apprentice will gradually take on more responsibility as confidence and capability grow.
Key areas of responsibility and deliverables:
- Supports the building of effective working relationships with internal teams
- Assist with responding to production-related queries in a timely and professional manner. Completing triage process to prioritise and assign requests
- Helps coordinate aspects of the production process, learning how to meet quality and deadline expectations.
- Works alongside the Operational and Account Management teams to gain insight into client account support.
- Learn how to track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) and service levels (SLAs)
- Follow established business processes and become familiar with APS policies, including health and safety and environmental procedures.
- Support sustainability and compliance initiatives across operational practices.
- Contribute to the identification of small improvements or efficiencies within day-to-day tasks.
- Communicates updates and requirements clearly as directed by team members.
- Show a growing understanding of the commercial impact of operational decisions.
- Support Testing Process to ensure output and feedback produced accurately and timely
- Maintain an up-to-date library of work instructions
Skills and experience required:
- Show a genuine interest in operations, client services and production environments
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Willingness to learn and take on new challenges with a positive attitude
- Ability to work as part of a team and build relationships across departments
- Good organisational skills with attention to detail
- Basic IT literacy, including familiarity with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Ability to follow instructions and take responsibility for personal development.
- Commitment to working towards a relevant apprenticeship qualification.
- Awareness of professional conduct and workplace standards
- No prior experience required – full training will be provided.
Where you'll work
12 Aston Fields Road
Whitehouse Industrial Estate
Runcorn
WA7 3DL
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BPIF TRAINING LIMITED
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
As an apprentice, you will work with your training provider, BPIF Training, who will provide full academic support. We offer extensive in-house, on-the-job training to set you on the path to a successful career within The APS Group.
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will achieve a Level 3 Business Administrator standard. You will be provided regular time within your normal working hours to meet the requirements of your apprenticeship programme. Training will take place via interactive online workshops, along with regular 1–1 sessions with your dedicated BPIF Training Coordinator.
More training information
We are the largest supplier of apprenticeships to the printing industry. We support the UK’s most innovative, dynamic and creative companies who are setting the standard for what is possible in print production. We do so through deep knowledge, passion and collaboration.
Requirements
Desirable 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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
Other requirements
Core Competencies • Relationship Management – Learns how to build positive relationships with colleagues and supports team collaboration. • Communication – Demonstrates good communication skills and a willingness to engage with others professionally. • Service Delivery & Accountability – Shows commitment to completing tasks and supporting team objectives. • Problem Solving & Decision Making – Begins to recognise challenges and learns how to contribute to resolving them with guidance. • Planning & Organisation – Manages time effectively and develops prioritisation skills in a busy environment. • Team Collaboration – Participates actively in team discussions and offers support where needed. • Process & Quality Orientation – Follows processes accurately and begins to understand quality standards. • Commercial Awareness – Starts to understand how operational activities contribute to business outcomes. • Compliance & Risk Awareness – Learns the importance of compliance in areas such as health and safety, data privacy, and environmental standards. • Adaptability & Initiative – Shows flexibility and a proactive attitude toward learning and continuous improvement.
About this employer
Since 1961 we’ve been all about working with great people to make more possible for our clients. You’d be joining a family of over 900, so you’ll never be stuck for advice, expertise and networking opportunities. Together we lead the way in marketing and communications. Whether we’re producing exciting creative for advertising or managing a client’s entire print spend, we’ve got pretty much everything covered.
After this apprenticeship
This is a fixed-term position for the duration of the apprenticeship. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, a full-time role may be available, subject to business needs.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BPIF TRAINING LIMITED
Lucy Kirkbride
lucy.kirkbride@bpif.org.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000346593.
Apply now
Closes in 24 days (Monday 17 November 2025 at 11:59pm)
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