Apprentice Service Advisor

FORD & SLATER LIMITED

Newark, NG24 2NH

Closes on Monday 27 January

Posted on 19 December 2024


Summary

Advisors are the liaison point between the customer and service technicians, working with customers to determine problems with a vehicle and provide technicians with accurate repair descriptions. Additionally, service advisors are responsible for greeting customers, listening to requests, scheduling appointments and estimating.

Annual wage
£13,312 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Days and shifts to be confirmed.

40 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 3 February

Duration

1 year 2 months

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Key accountability & responsibilities will include:

  • To work as part of a team delivering a first class, professional customer service, ensuring that where possible, customer enquiries, payments and complaints are resolved at the first point of contact
  • To greet customers in a friendly, professional and courteous manner
  • To work within established procedures for each service request including logging, processing and progress chasing enquiries, adhering to service level agreements and quality standards to maximise customer satisfaction
  • To maintain electronic and written records of letters and forms received, information given, services requested and complaints made, to ensure accuracy of information and efficiency when dealing with customers
  • In conjunction with service advisor/senior service advisor, to encourage feedback on services provided and recognise the changing needs of the service and make recommendations to the service manager/depot manager for service improvement
  • To undertake general administrative duties to ensure the smooth flow of work within the customer service reception
  • To assist the service advisor/senior service advisor to give repair estimates and price quotations and offer repair suggestions
  • To obtain customer authorisation and order numbers

Where you’ll work

Long Hollow Way

Newark

NG24 2NH

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

LEARNING SKILLS PARTNERSHIP LTD

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents
  • Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
  • Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
  • Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
  • Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
  • Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
  • Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
  • Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
  • Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Your training plan

Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard.

  • This apprenticeship programme is delivered with a blended learning approach and includes a mixture of onsite tutor visits and online tutor led sessions. All delivery is completed in the workplace, and you will not need to attend any off-site training.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

  • English (grade 4/C)
  • Maths (grade 4/C)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Patience

Other requirements

This apprenticeship will involve working weekends and may involve working in the evenings. This is agreed locally on a rota basis. It will be hard work, but it is a great environment to work in. It offers opportunities for reward and progression. Please do not contact the retailer directly. Learning Skills Partnership is the main point of contact for this vacancy, as we are providing a full recruitment service for the retailer. Approaching the retailer directly will not always help your application. Once you commence at the retailer, further induction training will be supplied by the retailer. You will also receive visits and other training from the Learning Skills Partnership representative.

About this company

The company was founded in 1928 and has a distinguished history as a franchised commercial vehicle dealer. Ford & Slater was acquired by Peter Strevens in 1991 and the Directors of Ford & Slater comprise Strevens family members and other senior managers. Certain key milestones in recent years include the following: • Over £10 million invested in new dealerships in the last ten years • Eleven dealerships across the East Midlands and East of England, over 525 employees • Seven ATFs across the group • Winner of the Motor Transport Apprenticeship of the Year Award in 2018 • Winner of the PACCAR Financial International Dealer of the Year in 2018 • Noden Truck Centre was acquired in January 2019 • Winner of Retail Sales of the Year in 2018 • Winner of DAF's International Dealer of the Year 2020 As a privately-owned company we take a long-term view. The Company owns the majority of its dealerships, profits have been re-invested since 1991 and security of employment is very important. Our Mission Statement is to exceed our customer’s expectations by offering high quality transport services in an ethical manner at competitive prices. We will achieve this by utilising the synergies within our dealership group, offering innovative solutions and a “one-stop shop” provided by highly motivated and skilled long-term employees, reinvesting profits to provide modern, safe premises. DAF Trucks is our only truck manufacturer relationship, consequently our interests are wholly aligned with DAF Trucks unlike other dealers with competing manufacturer relationships. DAF Trucks is a subsidiary of PACCAR Inc, the worldwide quality leader in the design and manufacture of premium light, medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

https://www.fordandslatercoventry.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • This is a fantastic opening to gain potential permanent employment in a varied and ever-expanding industry. Ford and Slater have an enviable reputation for well-trained, high-quality staff and this is a career opportunity not to be missed.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LEARNING SKILLS PARTNERSHIP LTD

Holly

Holly.Parkinson@lsprecruit.com

07432840539

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000292803.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 27 January

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply now' and you will be redirected to the GetMyFirstJob website where you will be required to submit an application. If this is your first visit to GetMyFirstJob you will be required to register on the website, please complete all fields upon registration and ensure you attach a copy of your CV.