Annual salary: up to £25,396.80 Business Administration Apprenticeship Course title: Business Administration (Level 3) Location: Ardleigh, Colchester (Bus routes are not suitable, having your own transport is preferred.) Contract Type: Fixed Term Apprenticeship Salary: Age 16–18: £7.96 per hour — 40 hours per week (including time at college) Age 19–20: £11.06 per hour — 40 hours per week (including time at college) Age 21: £12.21 per hour (rising to £12.71 in April) — 40 hours per week (including time at college) Training provider: Inspiro You will join Mears Group in the week commencing 03/08/2026, and your apprenticeship course will begin in the week commencing 21/09/2026. The programme has an expected duration of approximately 18 months About apprenticeships at Mears Group: Apprenticeships are an underpinning part of Mears’ philosophy; we are committed to developing the next generation of our workforce, many of our most senior people started their working life as an apprentice. Whether you are fresh out of school or college or looking for a complete career change, Mears can offer you a great foundation to your future career and beyond. All our Apprentices are paid above the national minimum wage, and you’ll be paid for your normal working hours plus your attendance at college, with the opportunity to get real life experiences such as working in people’s homes, getting involved in community projects and improving people’s lives by being customer focused. What does a life as a Business Administration look like? As a Business Administration Apprentice in the Information Security and Governance Team, you will develop within the role guided by your mentor, you will listen, observe and participate in a range of tasks which will enable you gain new skills and knowledge in Data Protection that contribute to the successful achievement of the apprenticeship programme. You will be involved in a wide range of activities including data protection case management, data analysis, attend meetings (face to face and virtual) and get involved in social value events. One day a week (or 8 hours throughout the week) will be allocated to complete your college coursework; courses are online, and assessments are submitted via a secure portal. The rest of the week you will be in our Colchester branch. The apprenticeship course will cover the following: - Introduction to business administration Developing effective communication skills, including making phone calls and responding to emails professionally Administrative and office skills, including case management. Data input and maintaining accurate records on internal systems Understanding confidentiality, data protection, and professional standards Learning how the wider business operates and how departments work together Developing organisational and time-management skills in a busy office environment Building confidence in using office IT systems and software What do you need to be a successful applicant: - GCSEs in English and maths at grade 4 or above The ability to travel to your branch and to your college provider when required A genuine desire to learn and develop strong technical knowledge, including the skills, technology, and safety procedures needed to carry out the full range of tasks Strong communication skills Ability to build and maintain positive customer and client relationships Please note due to the nature of the role, successful applicants must complete a colour‑perception test and a basic maths and English assessment For this role you will be required to obtain Security Clearance. Please check the requirements for this. What you will get: Laptop An industry‑recognised qualification 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays £250 contribution towards driving lessons Annual Mears Fun Day - a company‑wide celebration as a thank‑you from the Executive Team Support from Mears Group Apprentice Ambassadors Apprenticeship events and reward trips Staff perks through Mears Rewards - including discounts on weekly groceries (up to 10%), holidays, eye‑test vouchers, ShareSave scheme, and more Application Process: All applicants must submit their CV and complete the apprenticeship questionnaire via the Mears Careers website If shortlisted, you will be contacted to confirm whether you have been selected for the next stage - this may be an assessment centre or an individual interview Please note: as part of the selection process, you will be required to complete a basic maths and English test, similar to the assessments needed to join the college A bit about us. Mears Group PLC is a leading provider of housing and care services in the UK. With a strong emphasis on social responsibility and community well-being, Mears specialises in delivering housing solutions, maintenance services, and care support to a diverse client base. The group’s expertise encompasses responsive repairs, planned maintenance, and housing management, contributing to the overall improvement of living conditions for individuals and communities. Mears Group is committed to fostering a positive impact on society, making it an attractive prospect for individuals seeking a career in a socially responsible and dynamic organisation. A career with Mears Group means putting people and customers at the heart of what you do, every day. Our culture is built on what we call our ‘Red Thread’ – the common values we share that make us what we are. All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK, Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship. As part of the recruitment process for this role, we will carry out a DBS & BPSS check, as well as Security Clearance. For these checks to be completed, we will require from you the relevant identification, including Proof of Address, References, a valid passport and proof that you have lived in the UK for the last 5 years. Apply below or to discuss your application further; contact: Vickie Rudge (Vickie.Rudge@mearsgroup.co.uk) If you need any help with your application process, we are here to support you. We will be accessible every step of the way. At Mears Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, we are a Disability Confident employer, valuing individuality and ensuring equal opportunities for all. We proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant and are honoured to have achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) to coincide with this, we hold an Endorser Award for the Career Transition Partnership, recognising our commitment to veterans transitioning into civilian careers. In our continued effort to promote social mobility, we invite applicants to voluntarily share their background information during the application stages to help us better understand the diverse experiences of our candidates. This is to ensure we are committed to improving social mobility. We use the Social Mobility Index to assess and enhance opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds. These questions are optional and will not impact your ability to apply. We are the people behind the smile! At Mears we look for people who share our vision and values - to make a positive difference to the communities we serve. We do this by improving homes, improving communities and improving lives. We are proud of our business and the opportunities we provide to colleagues working across the UK. Our Values - Customers / Innovation / Teamwork / Responsibility