Apprentice Customer Service Assistant - REF 14910

HOWARTH TIMBER & BUILDING SUPPLIES LIMITED

Bury (BL9 6AQ)

Closes on Tuesday 5 May 2026

Posted on 20 March 2026

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Summary

Howarth Timber in Bury are recruiting for an Apprentice Customer Service Assistant. The successful candidate will complete a Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship over the duration of 16 months.

Wage

£15,600 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Customer service practitioner (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 4.00pm, 30 minutes lunch.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 12 May 2026

Duration

1 year 4 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

  • Serving customers, both at the sales counter and over the phone
  • Use of our sales computer system to enable goods to be charged to both our cash and account customers
  • Assist in the understanding and correct selection of the range of products which our customers require
  • Sorting stock deliveries in the shop, maintaining a tidy and safe environment for both customers and work colleagues
  • Other duties and responsibilities express and implied which arise from the nature and character of the post within the branch as deemed by your line manager

Where you'll work

Bright Street
Bury
BL9 6AQ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

NORTH LANCS. TRAINING GROUP CIC

Training course

Customer service practitioner (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Use a range of questioning skills, including listening and responding in a way that builds rapport, determines customer needs and expectations and achieves positive engagement and delivery.
  • Depending on your job role and work environment: Use appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills, along with summarising language during face-to-face communications; and/or
  • Depending on your job role and work environment: Use appropriate communication skills, along with reinforcement techniques (to confirm understanding) during non-facing customer interactions.
  • Depending on your job role and work environment: Use an appropriate ‘tone of voice’ in all communications, including written and digital, that reflect the organisation’s brand.
  • Provide clear explanations and offer options in order to help customers make choices that are mutually beneficial to both the customer and your organisation.
  • Be able to organise yourself, prioritise your own workload/activity and work to meet deadlines.
  • Demonstrate patience and calmness.
  • Show you understand the customer’s point of view.
  • Use appropriate sign-posting or resolution to meet your customers needs and manage expectations.
  • Maintain informative communication during service recovery.

Training schedule

  • Functional Skills
  • Work Based Learning
  • Customer Service Practitioner

Requirements

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Team working
  • Good work ethic
  • Punctual
  • Ambitious for Progression

About this employer

With over 180 years’ trading experience, the Howarth Timber Group has grown to provide not only the widest range of products, but expertise, service, and knowledge you can rely on.

Now the UK’s largest privately‑owned timber company, our origins can be traced back to 1840 when we commenced trading as Hudson & Co. Over the years the Howarth Timber Group has expanded from a one‑man company to an employer of more than 1,000 people specialists who know the industry inside out. We take great pride in our teams of local experts serving our local communities.

After this apprenticeship

Progression onto full time employment.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

NORTH LANCS. TRAINING GROUP CIC

Recruitment

recruitment@nltg.co.uk

01254395355

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000013463.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 5 May 2026

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