Business Administration Apprentice
PARALLEL INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Colchester (CO4 3ZQ)
Closes in 22 days (Saturday 22 August 2026)
Posted on 24 July 2026
Contents
Summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to join Parallel Innovations as a Business Administration Apprentice. You will play a key supporting role across our client services and operational functions helping to keep the business running smoothly day to day.
- Wage
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£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
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Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm with a 30-minute lunch break each day.
40 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 24 August 2026
- 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
Key Responsibilities:
- General administration/assistant duties - Provide day-to-day administrative support across the business, including documentation, diary management and meeting coordination
- Quoting & proposals - Assist with the preparation and formatting of client quotes and proposals, liaising with the team to gather accurate information
- Procurement & purchasing - Research, order, and track equipment and supplies, managing supplier communications and ensuring timely delivery
- Travel & logistics - Book travel, accommodation, and logistics for team members attending client sites, events, and meetings
- Phone & reception duties - Handle inbound calls, take messages, and direct enquiries to the appropriate team member professionally
- CRM management - Review and update client and opportunity records, ensuring data is accurate and up to date to support the opportunity pipeline
- Time tracking & client hub - Monitor the client hub for time tracking entries, flagging any discrepancies and reminders
- Internal communications - Communicating across the business professionally and promptly
- Working closely with our Client Services & Project Manager and wider team, you'll gain hands-on experience across a broad range of business administration activities in a fast-paced technology company
Where you'll work
Innovation Centre, Knowledge Gateway
Boundary Road
Colchester
CO4 3ZQ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
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 apprentice will be working towards the Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard including a City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma for the Business Administrator
- Monthly classes at Colchester Institute (Colchester Campus)
Requirements
Essential 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
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Manage multiple tasks at once
- Confidence
- Professional phone manner
- Positive, can-do attitude
- Keen to engage and learn
- Reliable and punctual
- Curiosity for Technology
- Microsoft Office Package Skill
Other requirements
Regular travel to our office is essential.
About this employer
Parallel Innovations helps businesses maximise the value of their technology investments. Our team brings deep expertise in data management, cloud infrastructure, cyber security, training and enablement and IT service delivery. We work with organisations of all sizes to map out strategic goals and deliver tangible projects, always tailoring our approach to meet each client’s unique needs. Collaboration is at our core. This is a great opportunity to work in a growing and dynamic tech company as part of small team allowing for great exposure.
https://www.parallelinnovations.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Pension scheme
- Early finish Friday subject to performance
- Birthday day off
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- Upon successful completion of the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship, there is potential for a permanent role within Parallel Innovations in client services, operations, or project coordination
- The skills and qualification gained are also highly transferable across the wider technology and professional services sector
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
Colchester Institute - Apprenticeships Team
ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk
01206712043
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000043559.
Apply now
Closes in 22 days (Saturday 22 August 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.