At a Glance
- Tasks: Support customer service and administration tasks while learning on the job.
- Company: Join Barrett Steel, the UK's largest steel distributor with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Earn £16,500, enjoy 25 days holiday, and access health services.
- Other info: Great progression opportunities in a collaborative and innovative environment.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career with a fully funded apprenticeship and mentorship.
- Qualifications: Organised, IT-savvy, and passionate about building a career in business.
This is an exciting opportunity to start a career within a forward-thinking organisation that is respected as the UK’s leading independent steel stockholder.
Goodman Steel Services are part of Barrett Steel, the UK’s largest steel distributor and processor, with over 160 years of heritage. We are still family owned and operate from 29 sites across the UK and Ireland, holding more than 120,000 tonnes of steel stock. Our success is built on the people who make it happen every day. We continually invest in our people, the latest processing machinery, technology, and materials-handling equipment to deliver an exceptional service to our customers. Our people, our customers, and the communities in which we operate are at the heart of what we do. We value hard work, ambition, teamwork, and are always open to new ideas.
You will be given the training necessary to carry out your role, including mentoring by a strong, established site team. You’ll use the latest in blended learning techniques to ensure you receive the highest levels of training whilst working on the core business activities. The hours of work are Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm.
Specific tasks may include:
- Incoming call answering, fielding customer enquiries to the appropriate person.
- Responding to non-sales queries such as order progression updates, transport queries, incorrect/missing items etc.
- Contacting customers to obtain missing information and respond to queries.
- Organising paperwork for processing.
- Keeping the IT system cleansed & updated.
- Managing stock locations, batches, amendments to stock & cutting notes.
- Scanning of all documentation (POD's, stock notes etc).
- Supporting the purchase of non-steel consumable items.
- Dealing with customer orders and data files and issuing orders to the factory for production.
To maintain customer account details to ensure up-to-date contact, delivery, and unloading information is on file; to provide relevant information to purchasing, accounts, works, and transport departments to ensure the company complies with Health & Safety legislation and can exceed our customers’ expectations on customer service.
We offer a fully funded 19-month Business Administration Apprenticeship where 1 day per week you will study and the rest in the business, a £16,500 salary during the apprenticeship, 25 days holiday + bank holidays, pension + life assurance, discounts on retail and leisure, access to health and wellbeing services, a long-term career in the business with progression opportunities, and a mentor during your time on the apprenticeship.
You will have the passion, drive, and confidence to work within the business in a collaborative, creative way.
Essential Skills for the role:
- You should be organised and methodical in your approach with a genuine interest in developing a career in Barrett Steel.
- A good level of IT; able to confidently use Microsoft Word and ideally Excel and PowerPoint at a basic level.
- GCSE qualifications in English & Maths ideally at grade 5 or above.
- Live local to site.
- Drive or learning to drive.
Business Admin L3 Apprentice in Reading employer: Barrett Steel
Barrett Steel Tubes is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and family-oriented work culture that values innovation and community engagement. With over 150 years of heritage, employees benefit from continuous investment in their professional development and state-of-the-art resources, ensuring a rewarding career path in the steel industry. Located across 29 sites, Barrett Steel fosters a collaborative environment where every team member's contribution is recognised and valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Admin L3 Apprentice in Reading
✨Dive into Data Analytics Communities
Get involved in online forums and local meetups focused on business intelligence. Platforms like Reddit, LinkedIn Groups, or even local events can be goldmines for connecting with industry professionals who might have insider info about opportunities at companies like Barrett Steel.
✨Showcase Your Work with Personal Projects
Consider creating a small portfolio demonstrating your skills in data analysis or visualisation. This could be anything from a project analysing public datasets to creating dashboards—having something tangible to show can really make us stand out during your apprenticeship search.
✨Get Familiar with Apprenticeship Platforms
Utilise platforms specifically tailored for apprenticeships. Websites like Apprenticeships.gov.uk or local job boards can help us find the latest openings, and many companies even post directly about their apprenticeship opportunities. Don't forget to check Barrett Steel’s own careers page too!
✨Engage with Business Intelligence Tools
Familiarise yourself with popular BI tools like Tableau or Power BI. Showing that you can navigate these tools will not only impress recruiters but also give you a practical edge in interviews. Plus, we can find free online resources or courses to boost our skills before approaching companies like Barrett Steel.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Admin L3 Apprentice in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence world, we love a good number-cruncher! When crafting your CV, highlight any experience you have with data analysis, reporting, or relevant software. If you’ve done any projects that involved extracting insights from data, make sure to include those!
Craft a Motivational Cover Letter:Since this is an apprenticeship, we want to see your enthusiasm for learning and growing in the business intelligence field. Share why you're interested in business intelligence and what excites you about the role at Barrett Steel. Let your passion shine through!
Keep It Relevant:Tailor your application documents to align with the skills we're looking for in an apprentice. Mention any coursework or certifications you've completed related to business intelligence, data analytics, or even general business acumen. Specific examples will help you stand out!
Show Your Team Spirit:Business intelligence isn't just about data; it's also about collaboration. Highlight any experience working in teams—whether that's through school projects, extracurricular activities, or volunteering. We want to know you can communicate well and work alongside others to drive results.
How to prepare for a job interview at Barrett Steel
✨Dive into Data!
As this is a business intelligence apprenticeship, show off your enthusiasm for data! Be ready to discuss your experience with data analysis tools like Tableau, Power BI, or even Excel. Have some examples at hand that demonstrate how you've transformed raw data into actionable insights — it’ll show the interviewers your practical skills!
✨Know Your BI Basics
Brush up on fundamental BI concepts and methodologies. You're likely to face technical questions that test your knowledge of data warehousing, ETL processes, or SQL. Having a few key definitions and real-world scenarios prepared will help you stand out and show you're not just repeating phrases from a textbook.
✨Show Your Eagerness to Learn
Since this is an apprenticeship, employers are looking for potential over experience. Be sure to communicate your eagerness to learn and grow in the field. Talk about any relevant projects or coursework you’ve completed, showing them you’re proactive and ready to hit the ground running at Barrett Steel.
✨Bring Along a Portfolio
Even for an apprenticeship, having a portfolio can be a big plus! Include any relevant projects you've worked on, such as data visualisations, reports, or case studies. This hands-on evidence of your skills will complement your verbal explanations, giving the interviewers a solid picture of what you can bring to the table.
