Maritime Administrator - Offshore Operations Apprenticeship

Maritime Administrator - Offshore Operations Apprenticeship

Location: HMNB Portsmouth, PO1 3LT

Salary: £20,101.13 plus excellent benefits

Apprenticeship Qualification: L3 Business Administrator

Training: To be provided by Serco - Schedule to be confirmed

Expected Duration: 24 Months FTC

Schedule: Full-Time/37.5 hours – Monday - Friday

Start Date: 7th September2026

Ready to impact a better future?

Are you looking to start a rewarding shoreside career supporting maritime operations? Do you want to play a vital role in planning and coordinating activities that enable critical military training exercises, while contributing to a safer, more secure, and sustainable future?

We are seeking motivated and enthusiastic Apprentice to join our Offshore Operations team.

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who are organised, detail-oriented, and enjoy problem-solving, and who want to be part of a professional and disciplined operational environment.

As an apprentice, you will earn from day one while working towards a Level 3 Business Administrator qualification, gaining hands-on experience in operational planning, coordination, and business support. You will develop key skills in planning, communication, stakeholder engagement, and data management, providing a strong foundation for a long-term shoreside career in maritime operations.

What you’ll do as a Maritime Operations Administrator Apprentice

Working at the frontline of defence support, this role focuses on the planning and coordination of offshore vessel activities from a shoreside operations base. You will support the effective scheduling of vessels, crews, and operations, ensuring that maritime assets are in the right place, at the right time, to deliver essential services to military training activities both in the UK and overseas.

Throughout the apprenticeship, you will develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to successfully complete ongoing assessments, culminating in an End Point Assessment (EPA) with IAMI. On successful completion, you will achieve L3 Business Administrator Certificate.

 You’ll be entrusted to:

• Support the planning and coordination of vessel operations, ensuring schedules align with operational and training requirements
• Assist in the preparation and maintenance of vessel programmes, tasking plans, and operational schedules
• Liaise with vessel crews, engineers, and internal stakeholders to ensure accurate and up-to-date operational information
• Help coordinate crew movements, travel, and logistics, ensuring vessels are fully resourced for tasking
• Maintain and update operational systems, records, and documentation, ensuring accuracy and compliance
• Support the monitoring of vessel availability, maintenance periods, and operational readiness
• Assist in responding to short-notice changes and reprioritisation of tasks, developing problem-solving skills in a dynamic environment
• Prepare reports, briefings, and administrative documentation to support planning and operational oversight
• Ensure all activities are carried out in line with company procedures, safety standards, and defence requirements
• Build effective working relationships with internal teams and external partners involved in maritime operations
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance planning processes and efficiency
• Complete all elements of the Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship, including coursework, assessments, and on-the-job learning
• Demonstrate professionalism, attention to detail, and a proactive approach within a disciplined operational environment

 Does this sound like you?

You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have:

• Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age
• Ability to be flexible between college phases and sea phases, including periods away from home
• British National, holding a valid UK Passport and the ability to achieve Security Clearance
• 4 GCSEs (or equivalent) including Maths and English at grade C/4 or above
• Ability to obtain an ENG1 unrestricted medical certificate
• The ability to work as part of a team in a disciplined, safety-focused environment
• A proactive attitude with a willingness to learn, grow and adapt

What we offer

• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays
• Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (including L3 Team Leader and L5 Operations Manager apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
• Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
• Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.

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A little bit about us:
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our inclusive recruitment commitment:
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).

For support with your application, please contact recruitmentuk@serco.com.

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