Level 4 Sales Executive Apprentice

SKERN LODGE LTD

Bideford (EX39 1NG)

Closes in 30 days (Sunday 6 September 2026)

Posted on 6 August 2026

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Summary

We are looking for an ambitious, enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to join our Business Development team as a Sales Executive Apprentice. This is an exciting opportunity to develop a career in sales while gaining a nationally recognised Level 4 Sales Executive qualification.

• Wage:

  £22,000 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Sales executive (level 4)
• Hours: Monday - Friday, shifts to be confirmed.

  32 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 7 September 2026

• Duration:

  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

We are looking for someone who has a background in the outdoors to specialise in the growth of our outdoor sector. Ideally, experience or knowledge of outdoor education, a passion for the outdoors, through training or sports with an understanding of the challenges the sector faces and how apprenticeships can support businesses through upskilling staff or adding to teams.  The successful candidate will play an important role in growing employer partnerships, promoting apprenticeship programmes and supporting organisations to develop their people through learning and skills development.  

As a Sales Executive Apprentice, you will learn how to identify opportunities, build meaningful employer relationships and support businesses in understanding the value of apprenticeships.  Working closely with experienced colleagues, you will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to become a successful sales professional. 

Key responsibilities: 

Business Development & Sales 

• Identify and engage with prospective employer partners across priority sectors. 
• Generate new business opportunities through prospecting, networking, referrals and digital engagement. 
• Support the development and management of a sales pipeline using Hubspot CRM system. 
• Arrange and attend employer meetings, both virtually and face-to-face. 
• Research organisations and understand their workforce development needs. 
• Present apprenticeship programmes and skills solutions confidently and professionally. 
• Prepare tailored proposals and solutions aligned to employer objectives. 
• Support contract discussions and apprenticeship onboarding processes. 
• Follow up enquiries and maintain regular contact with prospective and existing employers. 

Relationship Management 

• Build positive and trusted relationships with employers. 
• Deliver an outstanding customer experience from first contact through to programme enrolment. 
• Work collaboratively with internal teams to ensure a smooth learner and employer journey. 
• Gather employer feedback and market intelligence to support service improvement. 

Marketing & Market Intelligence 

• Support campaigns that raise awareness of apprenticeship opportunities. 
• Identify trends within local and regional labour markets. 
• Share intelligence and insights with colleagues to contribute to strategic growth plans. 
• Promote the Skern Skills brand across networking events, employer forums and community activities. 

Hours: 32 hours per week -  Salary: £22,000 - Location: Home Based. Preferably in Hampshire/Wiltshire/Sailsbury areas.

Why join Skern Skills? 

• Be part of an organisation committed to creating positive life change through learning.  
• Access a wide range of CPD opportunities tailored to support your professional growth.  
• Competitive holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional unpaid leave.  
• Receive extra annual leave after two years' continuous service.  
• Access online GP appointments, prescriptions and physiotherapy for you and your dependants.  
• Enjoy 50% off stays at our residential centres for you and your family.  
• Free, confidential counselling and wellbeing support. 

Where you'll work

Skern Lodge Watertown
Bideford
EX39 1NG

Training

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

Training provider

SKERN LODGE LIMITED

Training course

Sales executive (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Sales planning and preparation: Set effective targets using sales forecasts. Prioritise customers and activities to grow account value and maximise return-on-investment in line with your organisation’s strategy. Formulate or refine customer plans and objectives. Create efficient territory plans where appropriate.
• Customer engagement: Effectively communicate and interpret customer information exchanged through written, verbal and non-verbal communication. Develop a customer engagement style that effectively opens sales conversations, builds rapport, enhances customer relationships, and adapts to different customer’s social preferences.
• Customer needs analysis: Be highly skilled at effective questioning and active listening techniques to understand the customer’s needs, guide the sales conversation appropriately, create mutual understanding, and build trust and affinity with customers.
• Propose and present solutions: Develop sales proposals and deliver them using a presentation style and technique appropriate for your customer. Present relevant products and/or services, explain features and their advantages, and clearly articulate the value and benefit of the solution for the specific customer. Use and adapt a range of techniques to draw-out and overcome common sales objections.
• Negotiate: Research the customer’s likely desired outcomes and negotiating stance. Develop responses to likely objections. Identify your own organisation’s needs, such as minimum price and acceptable terms. Negotiate or trade variables effectively.
• Closing Sales: Be attuned to verbal and non-verbal buying-signals andmove to close at an appropriate point in sales conversations. Develop ethical techniques to close sales and confirm customers’ purchase agreement.
• Gathering Intelligence: Collect, analyse and interpret market intelligence and share it appropriately and effectively within your organisation.
• Time Management: Use and adapt appropriate tools and techniques to prioritise and manage your time effectively.
• Collaboration and team work: Contribute effectively within a team environment. Work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders. Manage communications with the cross-functional team in relation to the effective delivery of your sales, such as finance and service delivery. Support continual business improvement by sharing best practice with sales team colleagues and assist the marketing team to develop new marketing collateral.
• Customer experience management: Deliver a positive customer experience. Manage customer enquiries and issues effectively. Take proactive action to prevent and minimise customer concerns and complaints. Handle all customer interactions professionally to the customer’s satisfaction.
• Digital skills: Effectively use digital tools to conduct research and target customers in line with the overall sales strategy. Able to deliver presentations and meetings using digital communication. Complete accurate records and process sales in accordance with your organisation’s policies, procedures and digital CRM systems.

Training schedule

Throughout your apprenticeship, you will develop expertise in: 

• Sales planning and pipeline management. 
• Customer engagement and relationship development. 
• Consultative selling and needs analysis. 
• Presenting solutions and handling objections. 
• Negotiation and closing techniques. 
• Market research and commercial awareness. 
• Digital sales and CRM systems. 
• Customer experience management. 
• Collaborative working across internal and external stakeholders. 

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English and Maths (grade 4-9)

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
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Logical
• Administrative skills
• Team working

Other requirements

This is a home based role. Preferred Locations: Hampshire/Wiltshire/Salisbury areas.

About this employer

At Skern, we're passionate about helping people grow. Through Skern Adventure and Skern Skills, we deliver outdoor education, apprenticeships, professional training and workforce development that create positive change through lasting learning. For over 50 years, we've been helping people build confidence, develop skills and shape brighter futures by creating meaningful learning experiences that make a lasting difference.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Once you have successfully completed your apprenticeship there may be the opportunity for a permanent position.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SKERN LODGE LIMITED

Karen Wick

karen.wick@skernskills.co.uk

01237 809469

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046676.

Apply now

Closes in 30 days (Sunday 6 September 2026)

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