Business Support Apprentice

As a Business Support Apprentice at Safran Engineering Services, you will engage in a variety of tasks that span across different functional departments. Your primary responsibilities will include assisting in the administration of purchasing through SAP, supporting HR activities such as contractor management and onboarding, and handling finance tasks like payroll and accounts receivable. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in several areas of business operations.

To qualify for the Business Support Apprentice role at Safran Engineering Services, you should have a minimum of GCSE Grade 9-4 (A*-C) in English and Maths, along with some experience or qualification in business administration related to HR, Finance, or HSE. Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential, alongside strong organizational and numerical skills. An eagerness to learn and a meticulous approach are also crucial for this position.

At Safran Engineering Services, the training for Business Support Apprentices is comprehensive and tailored to provide all the necessary skills and knowledge for your career growth. You will undertake the Business Administrator Level 3 qualification delivered by Gloucester College over a two-year period. This structured approach is designed to equip you with practical skills and theoretical knowledge while allowing you the chance to apply what you've learned in real business scenarios.

The working hours for a Business Support Apprentice at Safran Engineering Services are designed to promote a good work-life balance. You will work Monday through Thursday for eight hours each day, and five hours on Friday, concluding your week early at 1 PM. After the initial three months of office-based work, you may have the opportunity to adopt a hybrid working model with two days at home each week.

As a Business Support Apprentice at Safran Engineering Services, you will enjoy a competitive benefits package that includes five weeks of holiday per year plus statutory bank holidays, a personal pension scheme with employer contributions, and death in service insurance covering up to 4x your annual salary. Additionally, you'll have access to an onsite canteen and various training and development opportunities within the Safran Group.

When answering this question, focus on your enthusiasm for learning and the opportunity to work across various departments at Safran Engineering Services. Express your passion for contributing to sustainable aviation solutions, and highlight any relevant experiences that sparked your interest in business administration.

Demonstrating effective prioritization is key. Explain your approach to managing competing priorities, such as making lists, using project management tools, and communicating with your team. Share an example of a time you successfully balanced multiple responsibilities, emphasizing your organizational skills.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide a specific example where your attention to detail resulted in a positive outcome. Ensure you explain the context, what you did to ensure accuracy, and how it benefited the team or project.

Mention any experience you have with software tools mentioned in the job description, such as SAP, MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Provide examples of how you have used these tools effectively, perhaps in academic settings or previous internships.

Discuss your willingness to accept and learn from feedback. Provide an example of a time you received constructive criticism, how you responded to it, and what steps you took to implement the feedback to improve your performance.

Emphasize the collaborative nature of the role and how teamwork facilitates problem-solving and innovation. Share a specific instance where you successfully worked as part of a team, highlighting your communication skills and ability to support others.

Discuss the importance of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) regulations and how they impact business operations. Show that you appreciate the need for compliance and the role it plays in maintaining a safe workplace while managing various business processes.

To answer this question, articulate your understanding of the importance of confidentiality in HR, finance, and business operations. Provide an example of how you have managed sensitive information in the past, emphasizing your commitment to data protection and ethical standards.

Share your goals for the apprenticeship, such as acquiring specific skills, contributing to meaningful projects, and laying the groundwork for a successful career in business administration. Show enthusiasm for the learning opportunities that Safran Engineering Services offers.

Use a specific example to illustrate your adaptability and eagerness to learn. Focus on the steps you took to familiarize yourself with new information, how you managed any challenges, and the outcome which demonstrates your ability to acquire and apply new skills effectively.