Retail & Commercial

A commis chef is the most common starting position in many kitchens and in principal the most junior culinary role. A commis chef prepares food and carries out basic cooking tasks under the supervision of a more senior chef. The primary objective of the commis chef is to learn and understand how to carry out the basic functions in every section of the kitchen. Therefore having the opportunity to experience, consider and value each section with a view to choosing an area where they feel most inspired. The learning journey of any chef will vary considerably from one individual to the next; however it is necessary to understand and have experience in the basics that this role provides in order to progress to any future senior chef role.

A customer service advisor plays an important role within a business organisation. Employers recognise the key role customer-facing staff play in determining the quality of the customer experience and increasing customer loyalty. The economy is increasingly service-led, with more and more customer demands for better and individualised service. Employers estimated there to be 113,000 new jobs in customer service in England during 2004-2014, which is continuing to increase. As a Customer Service Apprentice, your exact duties will depend on your employer. It's likely that you'll be working with a team or member of staff to handle various tasks. You may be communicating effectively with customers face to face, in writing, or by telephone, resolving problems and improving customer relations, promoting products and services, keeping records, gathering customer feedback. This type of work requires strong communication, negotiation and flexibility skills. One of the great things about Customer Service is that you can work almost anywhere, with your transferable skills; you could be working in a hotel, large global organisation or maybe a charity. Customer Service roles are also an excellent starting point to progress into different market sectors, start your own business or move into management once you have more experience.

An Events Assistant is an entry level position, typically working within a team of people in an events company or within the events department of a larger organisation. This course involves the development and demonstration of skills and knowledge across 3 broad areas: operational, professional and commercial.

Hospitality managers work across a huge variety of organisations including bars, restaurants, cafés, conference centres, banqueting venues, hotels and contract caterers. These managers generally specialise in a particular area, however their core knowledge, skills and behaviours are aligned. Common to all managers in this role is their passion for exceeding customers’ expectations. Hospitality managers have a high level of responsibility and are accountable for fulfilling the business vision and objectives which requires excellent business, people and customer relation skills. Individuals in this role are highly motivated team leaders that combine a talent for management and specific industry skills and thrive on the customer facing nature of the role.

Hospitality supervisors work across a wide variety of businesses including bars, restaurants, cafés, conference centres, banqueting venues, hotels or contract caterers. They provide vital support to management teams and are capable of independently supervising hospitality services and running shifts. They typically work under pressure delivering fantastic customer service and motivating a team is essential to their role. The majority of supervisors’ skills and knowledge are the same but supervisors may specialise in specific functions or work across a variety of functions which reflect the multi-functional nature of the industry.

A hospitality team member can work in a range of establishments, for example bars, restaurants, cafés, conference centres, banqueting venues, hotels or contract caterers. The role is very varied and although hospitality team members tend to specialise in an area, they have to be adaptable and ready to support team members across the business, for example during busy periods. The most important part of the role is developing hospitality skills and knowledge such as recognising customer needs, knowing how to match them to the products and services of the business and working as part of a team to ensure that every customer, whether they are eating in a restaurant, drinking cocktails in a bar, ordering room service in a hotel or attending a business conference feels welcomed and looked after.

The recruitment resourcer apprenticeship is aimed at someone who works within a recruitment function of an organisation. Their role is to identify, attract and shortlist candidates for the recruitment process to fulfil the requirements of the business brief and provide resourcing support to the recruitment function. They may also be required to identify new business opportunities.

The Retail industry offers many exciting career opportunities and we provide clear pathways to a successful career in the sector. You could work in a variety of shops and other retail establishments such as small boutiques, large high street chains and well known department stores are just a few examples. The possibilities are vast and in addition to this you could be working in remote environments for example in telephone, mail order and on-line retail. The UK’s retail sector is vibrant and offers many opportunities for early career progression. Example job roles include visual merchandiser supervisor, style advisor, department manager, store manager and many more.

Retail managers are responsible for delivering sales targets and a positive experience to customers that will encourage repeat custom and loyalty to the brand/business. It is a diverse role that includes leading and developing a team to achieve business objectives and work with a wide range of people, requiring excellent communication skills. Retail managers champion the way for personal development, training and continuous improvement, encouraging their team to develop their own skills and abilities to enhance business performance and productivity.

Retail covers all kinds of businesses, from national chains and large superstores to market stalls and independent shops. As an apprentice, your role will depend on your employer – you could be assisting customers on the sales floor of a high street store or handling their purchases. On the Advanced Level Apprenticeship, your training will focus on gaining specific skills in your preferred speciality. You will handle more responsibility and gain important management skills.

Sales plays an important role within any business organisation. The sales and telesales workforce is one of the largest professional groups in the UK today, employing around 7% of the UK workforce. As a Sales Apprentice, your exact duties will depend on your employer. It's likely that you'll be working with a team or member of staff to handle various tasks. Sales Advisors duties include processing sales orders, supporting customers in obtaining finance for purchases and generate sales leads. This type of work requires a strong sense of responsibility, accuracy and attention to detail. One of the great things about Sales is that you can work almost anywhere, with your transferable skills; you could be working in a dynamic environment, call centre, large global organisation or maybe a retail outlet. Sales roles are also an excellent starting point to progress into different market sectors, start your own business or move into management once you have more experience.

Senior production chefs strive to produce customers’ meals consistently to perfection according to predetermined specifications. They have the ability to work independently and lead a team in often hot and highly challenging kitchen environments. Production Chefs are likely to work in organisations where brands, recipes and menus have been created by a central development team. Production chefs and their teams work quickly and efficiently, producing food often in high volumes, which is repeated day after day, requiring energy, highly methodical organisational skills and attention to detail.

A warehouse operative plays an important support role within a business organisation. The economy relies on the efficient movement of goods within the UK to ensure that goods arrive on time and in the right condition and warehousing and storage play a crucial part in making this happen. The warehousing industry is part of a wider logistics sector which employs around 8% of the workforce in England.