About the role
Start your career with Celanese at the Advanced Elastomer Systems (AES) plant in Newport, South Wales. Celanese is recruiting a Business Administration Apprentice to join a varied, fast-paced manufacturing environment where high standards, safety, teamwork and continuous improvement matter every day.
This is a paid, full-time apprenticeship and a practical route into business administration. You will learn on the job, work with experienced colleagues and build transferable office, communication, organisation and digital skills while working towards a recognised Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship.
You will provide administration support at one of Europe’s premier Thermoplastic Vulcanisate (TPV) plants, where raw materials are supplied to the global automotive industry. The role will give you exposure to key business functions including Safety, Process, Maintenance, Technical, Quality, Procurement, HR Administration and Training.
No previous office or manufacturing experience is required. This opportunity would suit someone who is ready to take their first or next step into a business career, enjoys being organised, is comfortable using IT, and wants to learn while gaining real workplace experience.
Your apprenticeship with TSW Training Apprenticeships
Your apprenticeship training will be delivered in partnership with TSW Training Apprenticeships, a Wales-based apprenticeship provider delivering work-based learning programmes across Wales. TSW will support you and Celanese throughout the programme through a dedicated apprenticeship practitioner/assessor, regular progress reviews, structured workplace learning, portfolio support and guidance to help you stay on track.
You will work towards the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration, which includes the Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration and Essential Skills Wales qualifications where required. The programme is designed to help you develop practical skills that can support progression in administration, operations, HR, procurement, training coordination and wider business support.
What you will do
- Create reports, spreadsheets and presentations using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Learn to use SAP to raise purchase requisitions and receive goods.
- Support different departments with routine administration tasks.
- Help with record retention, photocopying, filing and electronic document management.
- Manage office post and support general office coordination.
- Communicate professionally with colleagues across the business.
- Follow site procedures and contribute to a safe, organised working environment.
- Look for opportunities to improve simple processes and ways of working.
Key responsibilities and duties
- Provide day-to-day business administration support across several departments at the AES Newport site.
- Prepare and update documents, spreadsheets, reports and presentations accurately.
- Use Microsoft Office and learn business systems such as SAP.
- Raise purchase requisitions and support goods-receipt administration once trained.
- Maintain records, files and information in line with company procedures.
- Handle office post and support general office coordination.
- Work with colleagues from Safety, Process, Maintenance, Technical, Quality, Procurement, HR Administration and Training.
- Manage your apprenticeship work, evidence and deadlines with support from Celanese and TSW.
- Follow site safety, confidentiality, data protection and quality procedures.
- Contribute ideas to improve administration processes where appropriate.
What we are looking for
We are looking for someone with enthusiasm, curiosity and the commitment to complete a 30-month apprenticeship. You do not need to have started an office career already; you need to show that you are reliable, willing to learn, able to communicate well and motivated to build a future in business administration.
Qualifications required
- Minimum of four GCSEs at grades A*–C / 9–4, or equivalent, including English Language or Welsh First Language and Mathematics.
- Predicted grades may be considered where results are pending.
- Applicants must be eligible to undertake an apprenticeship in Wales and be aged 16 or over by the employment start date.
- Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be able to work full-time on site in Newport.
- The apprenticeship may include Essential Skills Wales in Communication, Application of Number and Digital Literacy where required.
Key skills required
- Enthusiastic, reliable and keen to learn.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Good attention to detail and able to follow instructions accurately.
- Organised, punctual and able to manage deadlines with support.
- Comfortable using IT, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email and online systems.
- Curious and willing to ask questions to understand how the business works.
- Flexible approach to supporting different departments.
- Positive team player who can also use initiative.
- Interested in building a career in business administration within a manufacturing environment.
Inclusion and accessibility
Celanese and TSW welcome applications from candidates with different backgrounds and experiences. If you are excited by this opportunity but do not meet every desirable point, you are still encouraged to apply where you meet the essential requirements and can show the right attitude and potential.
HOW TO APPLY:
CV required.
A formal cover letter is not essential. A short supporting statement is recommended to help assess motivation and potential.
Suggested prompt for candidates:
- Why are you interested in starting a career in business administration with Celanese?
- What interests you about working in a manufacturing environment?
- Give one example of when you have been organised, reliable, communicated well or supported a team.
- Confirm your GCSE grades or predicted grades, availability to start and ability to work full-time on site in Newport.
Suggested length: 150–250 words or a short email-style statement.
Applications are reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis, we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts.
Pay: £19,100.00-£26,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Newport NP19 4XF: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
