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

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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.

35 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 3 March 2026

Closing date

Monday 9^th February 2026 please send CVs and Covering Letter to finance@brightlingseaharbour.org

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

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 someone who is keen to 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 the telephone and e-mail.

The role also incorporates Digital Marketing with a goal of improving our presence across all social media platforms and to develop 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
• Develop Brightlingsea Harbour Tik Tok
• Create and publish social media posts
• Produce content and basic videos for Tik Tok and other social media platforms
• Create and assist to implement marketing strategies
• Create various promotional material using Canva Pro

Where you'll 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.

Training provider

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

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

• The apprentice will be working towards the Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard
• All delivered within the workplace via online training

Requirements

Essential qualifications

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

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Social media skills
• 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