Business Commercial Administration Apprentice

Colchester Institute Corporation; Colchester; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

Colchester Institute is offering a Business Commercial Administration Apprenticeship to gain hands‑on experience across finance, contracts and project support within a busy construction company. The role includes studying toward a recognised qualification and a starting wage of £16,640 per year.

You will learn on the job, supporting the commercial team, processing orders, maintaining records, and assisting with reports and contract paperwork while developing professional IT and administration

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths at grade 4/C or equivalent is required.
• Willingness to learn and take on administrative tasks across finance and contracts.
• Ability to work as part of a busy commercial team.

Responsibilities

• Process purchase orders, supplier invoices and applications for payment.
• Maintain accurate records for sub-contractors, including insurance and CIS compliance.
• Prepare and update spreadsheets, reports and contract paperwork.
• Handle phone and email enquiries and direct to the right person.
• File and scan records and support general office administration.
• Attend meetings to take notes and track actions.

Skills

Initiative

Commerical Interest

Education

GCSE Maths (Grade 4/C)

Job description

Business Commercial Administration Apprentice

ESSEX AND KENT ELECTRICAL SERVICES LIMITED

GOSFIELD (CO9 1SA)

Closes in 14 days (Saturday 28 November 2026)

Join our commercial team as a Business Administration Apprentice and get hands‑on experience across finance, contracts and project support in a busy construction company, while working towards a recognised qualification.

Wage £16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands‑on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Supporting the commercial team with processing purchase orders, supplier invoices and applications for payment
• Assisting with maintaining accurate records for sub-contractors, including insurance, accreditation and CIS compliance documentation
• Helping to prepare and update spreadsheets, reports and contract paperwork
• Answering telephone and email enquiries and directing them to the right person
• Filing, scanning and maintaining digital and paper records in line with company procedures
• Supporting general office administration, including ordering supplies and diary management
• Attending internal meetings to take notes and follow up on action points

Where you'll work

ORANGE HALL UNIT 5
GOSFIELD
HEDINGHAM ROAD
GOSFIELD
CO9 1SA

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

• 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.

This training schedule has not been finalized. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

GCSE in:

• Maths (grade 4/C)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Initiative
• Commerical Interest

About this employer

Essex & Kent Electrical Services Limited (trading as E&K Group) is an electrical and construction services company.

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, there is the opportunity to progress into a permanent Commercial Administrator or Assistant Quantity Surveyor role within E&K Group, with the option to continue studying towards further qualifications (for example a Level 3 or Level 4 apprenticeship in business administration or quantity surveying/commercial management).

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

01206 712043

The reference code for this apprenticeship isVAC2000056387.