Trade Suppliers play a vital role in ensuring an efficient flow of goods and services between manufacturers and their skilled trade customer base. They operate in a variety of sectors including electrical, plumbing, joinery and general building supplies. Typically, a Trade Supplier will operate a small warehouse and trade counter, which is visited regularly by professional trade customers who have technical knowledge about what they are buying. Trade Suppliers can specialise in roles in a trade business environment, which may include sales, purchasing, account management, logistics and administration.
Trade Suppliers will be dealing with customer sales at the trade counter and over the telephone, and will understand incoming deliveries, stock control and despatch. They will be familiar with processing customer orders and taking delivery of goods and the basic administration related to these functions. A key element of their role will be to have technical knowledge of the products and services offered together with the bespoke systems and equipment used in their trade business. They will communicate with a wide variety of internal and external customers to build relationships and provide a high quality service that encourages repeat business.
Off the Job Training
A key requirement of an Apprenticeship is Off-the-job training. This must make up an average of 6 hours per week of the apprentice’s working hours, over the total duration of the apprentice’s planned training period. Off-the-job training must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard and must take place within the apprentice’s normal working hours.
The new learning must be documented and reflected on through the Learner Journal on their e-portfolio.
Entry requirements
Individual employers will determine any relevant entry requirements in terms of previous qualifications, tests or other criteria. Apprentices without Level 1 English and Maths must achieve this Level and take the test for Level 2 before taking the end-point.
Assessment & Progression
Assessment is done through a combination of practical tasks, written assignments, oral discussions and online tests throughout the programme.
One to one support from a dedicated, professional assessor/instructor allocated to the learner for the duration of the programme.
Work based assignments and projects to be completed in an e-portfolio.
Case studies and in College course days as and when required for each learner
Job shadowing and mentoring, cross training in other departments.
Employer led in-house training.
Independent learning and research as directed by the assessor, relevant to the area of study.
Review of progress every 8-12 weeks with the Apprentice, Manager and Assessor, evaluating and contributing to what has been learnt and what the next steps to take are.
End Point Assessment
There will be an End Point Assessment (EPA) as the final stage of an Apprenticeship. The Apprentice must demonstrate their learning to an independent end point assessor and the overall grade available is distinction, pass or fail.
Assessment events are:
Knowledge test: The Online Multiple-choice Knowledge Test will assess the apprentice’s knowledge and understanding of all elements of the Standard pertaining to:
the nature of a trade supplier organisation
the nature of a trade customer (e.g. compared with a consumer)
trade counter and telesales services
the key principles of warehousing and stock control
the technologies that are appropriate to the role
legislative responsibilities relating to the business, products and/or services being sold
how personal responsibilities and performance contribute to the success of the team and the business
Practical Observation: Minimum of 60mins. The practical observation will be pre-planned and scheduled to when the apprentice will be in their normal place of work and will be carried out by the Independent Assessor. The observation should enable the apprentice to evidence their skills, knowledge and behaviour from across the standard to demonstrate genuine and demanding work objectives.
Professional Discussion: The professional discussion will be a structured discussion between the apprentice and the Independent Assessor, following the observation, to establish the apprentice’s understanding and application of knowledge, skills and behaviours.
Progression
On completion and achievement of the Standard, progression routes will be provided and discussed with the individual to enable them to make informed choices about continuous professional development. This Standard provides an ideal route into specialised, supervisory and management roles and qualifications within a trade business.
Knowledge
structure, mission, objectives and culture and how the role contributes to its success
position in the flow of goods and services, between the manufacturer and the customer
position in the external market and the wider sector within which the business operates,
internal policies and procedures, how these relate to the role and interact with legislative
vulnerability to situations that pose risk to the brand and/or business reputation
identify specialist customer needs
recognise how to be an effective listener
recognise the difference between internal and external customers and the relationship between customer satisfaction and organisational performance
recognise the products, services and language used by trade customers and the technical application of those product and services
the safe movement, storage and stock control of products within the trade supplier environment
benefits and potential limitations of technology in the workplace
different technologies and how they support the operation of the business
importance of health, safety and security in a trade supplies environment, and the consequences of not following legal guidelines
understand the impact of personal behaviour and actions on the team
recognise and comply with organisational standards of presentation and behaviour .
Skills
communicating confidently to internal and external customers about the company and how it operates
identifying and communicating with the relevant person if a threat or risk to the business is identified
using appropriate techniques and forms of communication to put customers at ease and gain their trust
delivering customer service that exceeds customer expectations
identifying customer requirements and referring them onwards in an appropriate manner
assisting customers in exploring product ranges and alternative and complementary products and services, based on the fundamental underpinning product knowledge
identifying the customers’ requirements, matching them to the trade supplier’s products and services
delivering accurate product information, to enable the customer to make a decision on products and services and know how to access the detailed technical specification of a product when required
securing a trade sale using appropriate selling techniques, both face to face and on the telephone, and methods to complete the transaction
applying basic merchandising techniques used within the business
applying the key principles of selling in a trade supplier environment, using a variety of methods, which may include unique selling points, upselling, and link selling to secure and complete sales transactions
communicating with customers using various methods and systems appropriate to the situation
applying the key principles of administration and working practices to accurately prepare, store, communicate and process businesses documentation
processing information, to the key standards of data protection, security and intellectual property rights
processing and recording the receipt, storage, assembly and despatch of goods
receiving stock, despatching customer orders and processing returns in line with company processes
loading /unloading of supplier and contractor vehicles
using technology appropriately and efficiently in line with business policy, e.g. PoS (point of sale) machines, PCs
demonstrating the use of various technologies, e.g. bespoke/in house or off the shelf software packages to others
complying with legal requirements to minimise risk and build customer confidence
minimising disruption to the business and maintaining the safety and security of people at all time
taking appropriate action if a breach of H&S regulations is identified
building two-way trust and contribute to working within a team
collaborating with colleagues to resolve problems
managing personal performance by completing tasks to agreed standards and timescales and by taking action to resolve problems and communicating issues beyond own level of competence
demonstrating effective time management through planning and prioritising own workload
identifying own strengths, weaknesses and development needs
Behaviours
adopts an approachable and friendly manner, interacting with customers in the style of the business
takes an active interest in the range of products and services offered by the
works with integrity in an honest and trustworthy manor
demonstrates adaptability and flexibility in own performance
shows an organised and committed approach, with a positive attitude
takes ownership and responsibility for own performance, is diligent and accurate
supports equality and diversity in the workplace
uses appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and operates machinery safely and effectively
consistently takes into account company environmental and sustainability policies and procedures
Why hire an Apprentice?
Employers have designed the Apprenticeship Standards to meet the needs of the sector and industry. Ensuring they include:
Relevant Knowledge, skills and behaviours ensure that the Standard is relevant to the occupation.
Widening participation Apprenticeship standards provide opportunities to employees that may not previously have been available.
Development tools A cost effective way to train your employees to undertake specific roles in your business.
Return on Investment On average, an apprentice who has completed their course will increase business productivity by £214 per week (CEBR, 2015).
Course Fees
As an Apprentice, you will pay no course fees. However, your employer may have to pay towards your training as well as provide you with a wage. All Apprentices are entitled to the national minimum apprentice wage within their first year of training from their employer, although they can, and often do, pay more. In the second and subsequent years of an Apprenticeship programme, if you are aged 19 or over, the national minimum wage for your age would apply [https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates]
If you are an employer and want to find out more information regarding employer contributions and any further costs related to the Apprenticeship programme, please contact our dedicated Apprenticeship team at [email protected]
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