Apprentice Commercial Assistant - Cruise
PORTLAND PORT LIMITED
Portland (DT5 1PP)
Closes in 23 days (Friday 20 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 28 October 2026
Contents
Summary
An opportunity to develop a broad range of skills and gain practical experience within the cruise and commercial team at Portland Port. The apprentice will support the planning and coordination of cruise ship calls, marketing activity, visitor information, customer and stakeholder liaison, research and general commercial administration.
- Wage
-
£15,600 to £24,784.50, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 5.00pm.
As the port’s operation is by necessity to cover a 24-hour, 7 days a week operational requirement, the Commercial Assistant - Cruise may be required to work outside of normal office hours from time to time.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 December 2026
- Duration
-
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
No two days will be exactly the same. The apprentice will work alongside the cruise team and wider Commercial team, gaining hands-on experience across cruise operations, marketing, tourism, customer service and commercial administration. They will gradually take on greater responsibility as their knowledge, skills and confidence develop.
An average day or week could include:
- Supporting cruise ship calls, helping with the preparation and coordination of cruise visits, operational information, visitor information and other arrangements to help ensure calls run smoothly.
- Working with customers and stakeholders, communicating with cruise lines, ship agents, tour operators, local attractions, transport providers, local authorities and other partners, as well as colleagues across Portland Port.
- Supporting marketing and communications, including helping to create promotional materials, stakeholder communications, updating website content and assisting with social media planning, drafting, scheduling and monitoring.
- Carrying out research and market analysis to support cruise development, visitor information, marketing campaigns and wider commercial business development.
- Helping with commercial administration, including preparing cruise documentation, correspondence, itineraries, marketing materials and operational notes, while maintaining accurate records and information.
- Attending meetings and industry activities, with opportunities to support customer and stakeholder meetings, familiarisation visits, exhibitions, conferences and industry events in the UK.
- Developing practical cruise operations experience, undertaking relevant training and on-the-job learning with the aim of becoming competent to act as a Duty Cruise Coordinator as part of the cruise rota.
- Taking ownership of projects and areas of responsibility as experience and confidence develop, giving the apprentice the opportunity to build their skills and make a meaningful contribution to the team.
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
Bi-weekly attendance required at Coastland College (Weymouth Campus) during term time only.
More training information
Coastland College received a 'Good' rating in its latest Ofsted inspection on 13 May 2025.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
Drivers Licence 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
- Administrative skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Flexibility
- Willingness to Learn
About this employer
Portland Port is a busy commercial port situated on the Isle of Portland in Dorset. It is home to a diverse range of maritime and commercial activity and has also developed into an established destination for visiting cruise ships.
Cruise operations bring together many different organisations and people, from cruise lines, ship agents and tour operators to transport providers, local attractions, businesses and tourism partners. The Port coordinates services to support visiting cruise passengers, including transport from the quayside to Portland and Weymouth, creating a varied working environment with strong links to the wider local tourism industry.
An apprenticeship at Portland Port provides the opportunity to gain experience within a real operational and commercial environment, working alongside experienced colleagues and interacting with a wide variety of customers and stakeholders. For someone at the beginning of their career, it offers exposure to cruise and port operations alongside marketing, tourism, customer service, administration and commercial activity.
The role combines structured learning with hands-on experience in a busy and varied working environment. We are looking for someone who is flexible, proactive and keen to learn, with a positive attitude and a willingness to get involved in the wide range of activities and tasks required to support the team. As knowledge, experience and confidence develop, the apprentice will have the opportunity to take ownership of tasks and projects, build an understanding of cruise and port operations, and undertake training to become competent to act as a Duty Cruise Coordinator. The role also offers exposure to marketing, social media, website content, tourism, events and wider business development, providing an excellent foundation for someone looking to develop a career within the cruise, tourism, marketing or commercial sectors.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
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
recruitment@portland-port.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000061326.
Apply now
Closes in 23 days (Friday 20 November 2026 at 11:59pm)