IT Customer Service
Are you considering a career as a parts consultant ? Below you will find all the information you need to know about how to start your career as an apprentice parts consultant and what that career will involve.
What is a customer service advisor?
If you like people then this is the apprenticeship for you. The customer service advisor is the first person customers meet when contacting the business. Being able to chat with them in a professional, knowledgeable manner is important, so you will be taught technical knowledge as well as customer service skills – or in normal language, you'll learn to talk about what the company does, as well as being polite, efficient and someone the customer wants to see again.
What is the work like?
A customer service advisor deals directly with customers, helping them with their enquiries and completing tasks such as booking in appointments or handling complaints or queries, depending on the nature of the company you work for. Your duties may vary slightly from employer to employer depending on the size of the company, but they commonly include:
- Interpreting customer concerns and comments and liaising with other staff members to ensure it is resolved
- Liaison with customers about any additional work/products required
- Greeting customers and escorting them around the office/building and offering them hospitality
- Taking messages for other staff members
- Handling customer complaints
- Responding to customer requests
- Notifying customers of deals, information and updates
How will I learn on a customer service advisor apprenticeship?
This course usually takes three years to gain an NVQ Level 3. To do this you won’t need to go to a further education (FE) college or training centre. Your time will be spent in a place of employment where you will get to learn practical skills from seeing the real working environment. You will shadow qualified members of staff so that you are able to learn firsthand how to go about the job. You will also get the opportunity to assist in the activities. Once you pass your assessments and progress through your course you will be able to start completing tasks on your own. To ensure you are competent in completing tasks on your own a Remit assessor will visit you periodically at the work place to complete assessment testing with you.
What skills are required for me to gain this apprenticeship?
As a customer service advisor you will need to demonstrate:
- A professional manner
- Good communication skills
- Good organisational skills
- The ability to gather technical information and relay it in a way that customers will understand
What qualifications are required for me to gain this apprenticeship?
Qualification requirements will depend upon the requests of the employer. Some employers will require higher grades at G.C.S.E level than others. At Remit we recommend that you register your application with us irrelevant of your G.C.S.E grades. We will then be able to contact you and advise you on the employer requirements when vacancies become available in your area. If you need any additional learning support to assist you with gaining your qualifications Remit are able to help.
Once I am qualified how much will I get paid?
Please note: These figures are meant as a guide only and may vary from employer to employer and may be dependent on the geographical area.
Customer service advisors usually work around 40 hours per week Monday to Friday and are office based.
Salary:
- As a customer service advisor you will earn a minimum of £2.65 per hour. This works out at around £100 per week. This is the minimum salary and some employer will choose to pay more. Once you are six months into your apprenticeship you will know enough to assist with work that will bring additional revenue into the work placement. This is usually when the employer will be able to increase your salary.
- Once you are qualified you may expect to earn between £10,000 - £18,000 per year.
As you gain more experience and complete further training you can expect this salary to rise. There may be opportunities for shift and overtime pay depending on your employer. You may also be eligible for holiday entitlement, company pension and private healthcare schemes.
How do I get an apprenticeship as a customer service advisor?
To register your interest in becoming a customer service advisor apprentice you can complete the Remit application form. Remit can place you on an apprenticeship all year round. However, it is important that you register to Remit as soon as you start year 11 and have decided that a career in customer service is the option for you. This will give us the best chance of finding employers in time for you finishing school.
To view all of our Apprenticeship Vacancies click here
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