Starting at Staircraft back in 2016 as a Customer Service Advisor, I quickly progressed through several roles—moving from Office Supervisor to Customer Service Manager and then becoming a Customer Delivery Manager. But when a sales opportunity arose three years ago, it was a leap into the unknown.
That’s when the idea of an apprenticeship came into play. Enrolling in a Level 4 Sales Apprenticeship gave me the structure and support I needed to tackle this new challenge head-on.
Balancing work and study is never easy, but the apprenticeship offered me a flexible format that allowed learning to fit around my daily responsibilities. The structure included monthly webinars, on-the-job learning tasks, and real-world projects.
We would have webinars that lasted two to four hours, followed by assignments that took about 20 hours to complete over a month. Some projects have been work-based while others required real-world examples from my job.
Even after moving out of a sales role, the apprenticeship remained valuable. I am now preparing for the final stage: an endpoint assessment that includes a presentation, Q&A session, and a professional discussion reflecting on everything learned throughout the program.
Although focused on sales, the apprenticeship provided far more than just technical knowledge. The real value came from transferable skills that I have benefited from in all areas of my work and life.
Key skills developed through the apprenticeship include:
It helped me understand the housebuilder market, the business and how everything fits together. It's made me better at managing my time, more organised and has definitely improved my communication skills.
One of the most transformative lessons came from the Insights Discovery personality assessment, which helped me understand my own communication style and how to adapt to others.
I found out that I am an 'Inspirational Helper' a yellow communicator. It made me realise why i connect better with some customers in comparison to others which has helped me adjust my approach.
One of the biggest challenges for me wasn’t the workload — it was overcoming self-doubt. Starting in sales was intimidating, especially when I was surrounded by experienced professionals with decades of industry knowledge.
I had major imposter syndrome at first. I kept thinking 'Am I doing this right?' The apprenticeship gave me the confidence to believe in my abilities. It reassured me that I was doing things correctly and that feeling made such a difference.
Even though I have since transitioned out of sales, the skills and confidence gained through the apprenticeship continue to have a lasting impact on my day-to-day.
For anyone considering an apprenticeship, don't be overwhelmed, it might seem like a lot at first but it's absolutely worth it in the long run.
If you don't have much experience in a specific area, this is a great way to gain real-world skills while working. The support from the tutors makes such a huge difference, they're with you every step of the way.
As I prepare for my final assessment, the lessons learned and confidence gained from this apprenticeship continue to influence my career. The experience has solidified skills that are transferable across other roles and provided clarity on future opportunities.
I wouldn't rule out going back into sales one day, something I would never have said before this apprenticeship so that shows how it opens doors and shows you just how capable you are.
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