Operations Apprentice

HARDSOFT LIMITED

Harlow (CM20 2SX)

Closes in 13 days (Monday 16 November 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 3 November 2026

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Summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Operations Apprentice to join our busy Operations team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to start their career in administration and business operations while gaining valuable workplace experience and industry knowledge.

Wage

£18,000 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Administration assistant (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm with 30 minutes for lunch.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 30 November 2026

Duration

1 year

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

The Operations Apprentice will support the day-to-day activities of our Operations team, learning key business processes including order processing, customer communication, lease administration and general office duties. Full training will be provided.

You will work closely with colleagues across Sales, Operations and Finance to ensure customers receive excellent service and orders are processed efficiently and accurately.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Processing customer orders and ensuring information is accurate and complete
  • Monitoring orders through to completion and updating internal systems
  • Handling customer and supplier correspondence via email and telephone
  • Assisting with Excel spreadsheets and administrative records
  • Supporting lease administration activities, including new agreements and lease renewals
  • Maintaining accurate customer and order records
  • Assisting with general office administration tasks
  • Providing administrative support to the wider Operations team
  • Learning and following company procedures and compliance requirements

What We're Looking For:

  • A positive attitude and willingness to learn
  • Good communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
  • Confidence using computers and Microsoft Office applications
  • Basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • Good telephone manner and customer service skills
  • A reliable and professional approach to work

Desirable Skills:

  • Previous customer service or administration experience (including school, college, or part-time work)
  • Experience using CRM or business software systems
  • Interest in technology and business operations

What You'll Gain:

  • Valuable hands-on experience in business operations and administration
  • Structured training and ongoing support
  • Exposure to the IT leasing industry
  • Opportunities for career development and progression within the business
  • Experience working with leading technology brands and suppliers

Where you'll work

St. James Centre, East Road
Harlow
CM20 2SX

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

Administration assistant (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Receive, retrieve, process, record and store information and data.
  • Operate within organisational policies, standards and procedures and relevant legislation respecting confidentiality; adapting to operational changes as they occur.
  • Use software packages and tools for example AI or automation to input and process data and information, to contribute to routine administration tasks in line with organisational policies and procedures.
  • Handle and communicate information in line with organisational policies, procedures and security requirements.
  • Recognise and rectify issues and escalate as required. For example stakeholder documents and reports, safeguarding concerns or abusive behaviour.
  • Plan and review administration tasks allocated by supervisor.
  • Maintain professional relationships with stakeholders.
  • Monitor and report on the use of resources such as materials, equipment and supplies.
  • Use agreed organisational systems and protocols to manage calendars, diaries and booking systems.
  • Source information as requested by stakeholders, ensuring they are shareable. As examples client records, signpost to services or reports.
  • Use continuing professional development including self-reflection to support current and future training and development needs.
  • Use communication tools to respond to stakeholders using professional language and organisational etiquette.
  • Operate within agreed health and safety standards.
  • Use time management tools to meet deadlines.
  • Handle feedback following expected professional etiquette.
  • Maintain wellbeing, accessing organisational support mechanisms if required.
  • Review and check own work.
  • Use cloud services to share documents for use and or collaboration.
  • Protect against security threats for example, strong passwords, two step verification, office tailgating and display of security passes or clothing that identifies secure workplaces.
  • Seek clarification and help, when required, to complete assigned tasks within agreed timeframes.
  • Receive, retrieve, process, record and store information and data.
  • Operate within organisational policies, standards and procedures and relevant legislation respecting confidentiality; adapting to operational changes as they occur.
  • Use software packages and tools for example AI or automation to input and process data and information, to contribute to routine administration tasks in line with organisational policies and procedures.
  • Handle and communicate information in line with organisational policies, procedures and security requirements.
  • Recognise and rectify issues and escalate as required. For example stakeholder documents and reports, safeguarding concerns or abusive behaviour.
  • Plan and review administration tasks allocated by supervisor.
  • Maintain professional relationships with stakeholders.
  • Monitor and report on the use of resources such as materials, equipment and supplies.
  • Use agreed organisational systems and protocols to manage calendars, diaries and booking systems.
  • Source information as requested by stakeholders, ensuring they are shareable. As examples client records, signpost to services or reports.
  • Use continuing professional development including self-reflection to support current and future training and development needs.
  • Use communication tools to respond to stakeholders using professional language and organisational etiquette.
  • Operate within agreed health and safety standards.
  • Use time management tools to meet deadlines.
  • Handle feedback following expected professional etiquette.
  • Maintain wellbeing, accessing organisational support mechanisms if required.
  • Review and check own work.
  • Use cloud services to share documents for use and or collaboration.
  • Protect against security threats for example, strong passwords, two step verification, office tailgating and display of security passes or clothing that identifies secure workplaces.
  • Seek clarification and help, when required, to complete assigned tasks within agreed timeframes.

Training schedule

Our blended approach means that our programmes are flexible and enable you to experience a range of learning and support opportunities in a variety of formats such as online or at a local ACL centre. You will have a dedicated tutor who you will meet (online or face to face) once a month who will guide you through your apprenticeship and prepare you for your End Point Assessment. Reviews of progress are carried out every 12 weeks with the learner, their line manager and the tutor. Additional workshops and seminars will be available to all learners to support additional learning.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Eng & Maths (grade 4/C and above)

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
  • Administrative skills
  • Team working
  • Positive attitude
  • Willingness to learn
  • Reliable
  • Professional approach

About this employer

HardSoft Ltd is a family-owned business with over 30 years of experience and a unique niche in IT leasing. As partners and resellers for leading technology brands including Apple, Microsoft, and Dell, we support over 5,000 customers across the UK and continue to grow year after year. 

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

A business that offers a bespoke service across insurance, finance, IT helpdesk, sales which means that there are opportunities for the person within the company to gain further career development.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

Zoe Niven

Zoe.Niven@essex.gov.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000061536.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Monday 16 November 2026 at 11:59pm)