Customer Service Apprenticeship
BEACON SOUTH WEST LTD
PLYMOUTH (PL2 3JP)
Closes in 27 days (Monday 27 April 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 30 March 2026
Contents
Summary
We are seeking a confident professional sales assistant who can offer guidance to our customers in the showrooms, on the phone, and via email. You will need to negotiate sales with customers. Also to then offer customer service backup to our customers throughout product guarantee periods and beyond. You will work as part of our successful sales team.
- Wage
-
£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Looking to rise after probation period.
- Training course
- Customer service practitioner (level 2)
- Hours
-
9.00am - 5.30pm, 5 days per week. Monday-Friday, also some Saturdays.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 20 May 2026
- Duration
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1 year 3 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
- Answering calls and emails as well as dealing with our customers face to face
- Manage any queries, feedback or escalations with manufacturers or third-party delivery companies
- Create open dialogue through strong relationships within the key departments within the company, to continually deliver and improve the front-line customer experience
- Ensure each customer has a positive Beacon Electrical experience and will become a repeat customer
- Deal with day to day administration tasks
- To optimise branch performance by continually improving our customer’s experiences
- Proactively and demonstrably contribute to Customer Service initiatives as advised by your Management Team
- Continuous training will be provided, but the successful applicant must demonstrate that they can also learn independently and develop product and procedures knowledge quickly
- Must be able to work within a team and be adaptable to deal with varying workloads
- Answering calls and emails as well as dealing with our customers face to face
- Manage any queries, feedback or escalations with manufacturers or third-party delivery companies
- Create open dialogue through strong relationships within the key departments within the company, to continually deliver and improve the front-line customer experience
- Ensure each customer has a positive Beacon Electrical experience and will become a repeat customer
- Deal with day to day administration tasks
- To optimise branch performance by continually improving our customer’s experiences
- Proactively and demonstrably contribute to Customer Service initiatives
Where you'll work
263 BEACON PARK ROAD
PLYMOUTH
PL2 3JP
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL
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
The apprentice’s training will take place both on-site within the working environment and at On Course South West.
Training will be delivered on a regular basis, combining practical, work-based learning with off-site instruction at the training provider.
More training information
The apprentice will receive training through a combination of on-site learning within the workplace and off-site training delivered by On Course South West.
The course will be structured to integrate practical experience with scheduled off-the-job training. This will include regular attendance at the training provider alongside day-to-day learning in the work environment, ensuring a balanced approach between theoretical understanding and practical application.
Training will be delivered on an ongoing basis throughout the apprenticeship, following a structured timetable agreed between the employer and the training provider.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4-9 (A*-C))
- Math (grade 4-9 (A*-C))
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
Other requirements
Customer Service & Interpersonal Skills: Approachable, friendly, and patient demeanor, with the ability to handle customer complaints professionally.
Communication: Strong verbal communication for engaging with customers and collaborating with team members.
Product Knowledge: In-depth understanding of products to provide advice, make recommendations, and upsell.
Sales Ability: Confident in driving sales, upselling, and closing transactions.
Technical & Operational Skills: Proficiency with POS systems/cash registers, basic numeracy for handling money, and inventory management.
Organisational Skills: Merchandising, restocking, and maintaining a tidy, clean shop floor.
Adaptability & Pressure Management: Ability to stay calm in stressful situations, work under pressure during busy times, and manage time effectively.
Physical Stamina: Ability to stand, walk, and lift/carry items for long periods.
About this employer
Beacon Electrical was Founded in 1976, and is still a Local Family Run Business. Originally established as an Electrical Wholesaler, Beacon has evolved in to a premier Retailer selling all aspects of Electrical and Gas products from light bulbs right through to Washing Machines and Televisions. Service remains the bed rock of our business ethic, we believe in a better standard of service than you will experience from a Nationally operated store, once you have experienced our in house service you won’t accept anything less. What's more our service doesn't end with your purchase - we provide excellent after-sales and a great choice of expert services to assist you, from delivery to installation. Beacon currently operates 4 Shops in Devon, 2 in Plymouth and 1 in Totnes and 1 in Kingsbridge, our Warehousing and distribution depot is also based in Devon
After this apprenticeship
Apprentice positions have the opportunity to work alongside highly trained and long standing employees who have extensive knowledge in the workplace and life in general this level of contact is invaluable. All candidates have the potential to progress their apprenticeship into a full time role once their course has been completed.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL
Tim Scott-Lloyd
tim.scott-lloyd@plymouth.gov.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000023820.
Apply now
Closes in 27 days (Monday 27 April 2026 at 11:59pm)