Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship in Colchester

Location: Colchester

Opening Date: 28 January 2026

Closing Date: 9 February 2026

If you are looking to develop your skills and knowledge across marketing, finance and customer service this is an ideal apprenticeship. You will gain a Level 3 in Business Administration and other vocational qualifications.

Wage: £13,741 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices. During your first year the hourly rate will increase periodically once training goals have been met.

Training course: Business administrator (level 3)

Hours: 5 days per week, usually Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm, with 30-minute lunch break and two 15-minutes breaks. 1 in 3 weekends from April to mid-July. 7 days on then 7 days off during school summer holidays. Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you will do at work:

• Brightlingsea Harbour is looking for someone to join our small office team for 2 years to help run the busy day-to-day operation of the office and improve our presence across all social media platforms.
• This is an incredible opportunity to work in the marine environment with beautiful views which also offers you the ability to get out on the water and even qualify as a power boat skipper and VHF radio user. Knowledge of sailing, boats and the marine environment is not essential.
• The role will be to ensure the efficient day-to-day operation of the office and support the work of the Office & Finance Manager.
• You will be the first point of contact for Harbour users and visitors either in person or via telephone and email.
• The role also incorporates Digital Marketing with a goal of improving our presence across all social media platforms and developing a range of basic marketing videos.
• This will also include assisting with creating and implementing our marketing strategies.

During your apprenticeship with Brightlingsea Harbour you will gain valuable transferable skills in customer service and administration whilst enhancing your financial and social media skill set.

Reception:

• Greet clients/suppliers/visitors and answer general phone inquiries.
• Monitor all emails, reply as appropriate.

Administration:

• Use QuickBooks to raise invoices and issue to customers.
• Accurately receive payments, recording payment method and allocate to the correct account.
• Accurately record cash transactions.
• Issue and record visitor receipts.
• Monitor, record, maintain all mooring documentation.
• Input all cash and card takings into QuickBooks.

Digital Marketing:

• Take photographs of the harbour/ferry etc to be used across all digital marketing sites.
• Take photographs around Brightlingsea/Mersea Island to promote the use of the ferry.
• Create and publish social media posts.
• Produce content and basic videos for TikTok and other social media platforms.
• Create and assist to implement marketing strategies.
• Create various promotional material using Canva Pro.

Where you will work:

HARBOUR OFFICE 4 COPPERAS ROAD BRIGHTLINGSEA COLCHESTER CO7 0AP

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

Requirements: GCSE in maths and English (grade 9-4/A*-C). Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills:

• Customer care skills.
• Creative initiative.
• Non-judgemental.
• Positive outlook.

Other requirements:

• You will need to consider how to get to work in Brightlingsea.
• During April to mid-July you will be required to work one in three weekends, Saturday and Sunday.
• There may be the possibility of travel assistance.
• There will be a requirement to assist on event days, for example Carnival Day/Tendring Show in July (days off in lieu will be given).
• The role is predominantly office-based but there will be a requirement to go on our foot ferry to film short videos and take photographs of the surrounding area.

Contract for 18 months - 2 years.

About this employer:

Brightlingsea Harbour is a small mixed leisure and commercial port with a rich heritage at the mouth of the river Colne between the City of Colchester and Clacton on Sea. The Harbour Master leads a dedicated team of permanent and seasonal staff who oversee the day-to-day activities within the Harbour. The Harbour manages 500 residential leisure moorings for yachts and power boats as well as commercial activities, for example cargo ships and wind farm vessels. The Harbour operates various ferry trips between April and September. A daily foot ferry service between Brightlingsea, East Mersea and Point Clear, Harbour Tours and a Pub Lunch River Cruise. Throughout this period the office is extremely busy and acts as a Tourist Board giving advice to holiday makers, advising on ferry trips, local attractions and welcoming visiting sailors. Every year we expect to welcome approximately 2200 visiting yachts, hundreds of power boaters, other watercraft users, dinghy sailors, racers, and now paddle boards and kayaks. During the summer months the Harbour can be very busy, so requires some careful management. The Harbour is active across all social media platforms, two Facebook accounts, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. During the winter months manages winter moorings for customers, creating and publishing an annual Visitor Guide, planning moorings for the following year and creating new marketing initiatives.

Company benefits:

• Pension Scheme.
• 29.5 days holiday including Bank Holidays.
• Power Boat Level 2 Course.
• Radio and First Aid Courses.
• Free use of the foot ferry service.
• Afternoon Tea/Pub Lunch River Cruise discount.
• Travel assistance if required.

After this apprenticeship:

During your apprenticeship with Brightlingsea Harbour you will gain valuable customer service and administration skills whilst enhancing your financial and social media skill set. Brightlingsea Harbour runs a marine-based apprenticeship and will support you all the way through your apprenticeship providing assistance when required. At the end of your apprenticeship, Brightlingsea Harbour will actively assist you in finding and gaining appropriate permanent employment elsewhere.

Company Name: Brightlingsea Harbour

Address: HARBOUR OFFICE 4 COPPERAS ROAD BRIGHTLINGSEA COLCHESTER CO7 0AP