Customer Service
What does a career in Customer Service involve?
This Apprenticeship teaches you the skills to provide excellent customer service, and can be applied to hundreds of job roles across many different sectors, from government to telecommunications. However, most customer service apprentices work in retail, financial services, call centres, hospitality, or sport and recreation.
Good customer service is key to the success of any business or organisation. It’s one of those useful skills that’s found all over the place and covers all the extras that make a customer’s experience better.
As a customer service apprentice, you’ll probably work at the front end of an employer’s business activities and regularly assist customers. Duties will vary between sectors, but in most cases you’ll be making sure that customers are dealt with in a positive, reliable and pleasant way – whether that’s by offering advice, answering questions or handling complaints.
To properly assist customers, you’ll need clear and up-to-date knowledge of your organisation’s products and services. You’ll also need to be able to communicate with all sorts of people.
Completing this Apprenticeship is a way of providing evidence of skills that will serve you well in virtually any industry – so it’s a very good way to move forward, even if you’re still undecided about your future career.
What type of Job Role can this lead to?
- Customer Relationship Manager
- Customer Support Agent
- Customer Support Officer
- Customer Service Executive Officer
- Customer Service Delivery Co-ordinator
- Customer Service Operator
- Customer Service Team Leader
- Customer Service Supervisor
- Customer Service Manager
- Senior Customer Service Advisor
- Customer Relations Officer
(Source: www.apprenticeships.org.uk)
What do I need to start?
1. Previous qualifications/training
No previous qualifications required, however you will be required to take a Key Skills initial assessment based on literacy and numeracy and attend a college interview.
2. A Job
You will need to have a Customer Service related job and be employed for a minimum of 16.5 hours every week.
What will I get out of it?
1. Earnings
The National Minimum Wage for Apprentices is £2.50 per hour, however research has found that Apprentices earn an average of £170 net pay per week. Research also shows that Apprentices earn, on average, over £100,000 more throughout their lifetime than other employees.
The starting salary (once qualified) is £12,000 - £16,000.
(Source: www.apprenticeships.org.uk)
2. Qualifications
When you have successfully completed your apprenticeship you will gain:
- Certificate in Customer Service NVQ Level 2 (Apprenticeship) or Level 3 (Advanced Apprenticeship)
- Customer Service Knowledge Certificate Level 2 (3 units)
- Key Skills Application of Number and Communication
- Or Functional Skills including ICT Level 1 (Apprenticeship) or Level 2 (Advanced Apprenticeship)
- Employment Rights and Responsibilities
3. Prospects
Apprenticeships train you in the skills employers want, they give you choices in your career. When you’ve finished you can carry on working, maybe get promoted or go on to higher education in a college or university.
How much does an Apprenticeship cost?
The government cover the full cost of training for 16-18 year olds and contribute towards costs for those aged 19 or above.
How do I apply?
Not sure if an Apprenticeship is right for you?
Call Employer Services on 01902 317691 for more information or to book an appointment with a Careers Advisor