Sales apprenticeships

Train on the job with a sales apprenticeship and earn while you learn. Opportunities are available across a number of levels with well-known organisations

What sales apprenticeships are available?

You can complete an apprenticeship in the following areas:

• sales executive
• estate agent
• travel consultant.

Sales apprenticeships are available at different levels:

• Level 2 - Intermediate, equivalent to five good GCSEs.
• Level 3 - Advanced, equivalent to two passes at A-level.
• Levels 4 and 5 - Higher, equivalent to a foundation degree.
• Levels 6 and 7 - Degree, comparable to a Bachelors or Masters.

However, most apprenticeships in the sales industry fall between Level 2 and Level 5. Some big name employers such as Amazon and Coca-Cola do offer degree apprenticeships, but within the field of sales, you'll have to do some research to uncover these kinds of opportunities.

Visit GOV.UK for information on sales, marketing and procurement apprenticeships.

To find out more, see what is an apprenticeship?

Which companies offer sales apprenticeships?

• Amazon - on the three-and-a-half year sales/account manager degree apprenticeship you'll gain product knowledge, analyse customer needs, develop relationships and ensure a positive customer experience. Based in either London or Manchester, upon completion of the programme, you'll gain a BSc in business to business (B2B) sales.
• BMW - the one-year sales trainee programme focuses on all the core skills that a sales executive needs, including customer relationship management and extensive product knowledge.
• Coca-Cola Eurospecific Partners (CCEP) - the four-year sales degree apprenticeship will see you working with brands such as Coca-Cola, Fanta, Dr Pepper and Sprite. Delivered through University of West Scotland, upon successful completion of the programme, you will achieve a SCQF Level 10 entitled BA (Hons) Business Management Graduate Apprenticeship.
• Jaguar Land Rover - the customer service apprenticeship is a one-year programme where greeting customers, arranging test drives and negotiating prices are just some of the tasks you can expect. Completion of the apprenticeship will lead to Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner Standard.
• Salesforce - run higher level sales apprenticeships in sales development and sales management. Programmes typically last between 18 and 36 months.
• Samsung - run a range of schemes at advanced, higher and degree level, including a sales programme.
• Savills - offer two sales related schemes, the Level 2 Residential Sales (junior estate agent) programme and the Level 4 Sales Executive apprenticeship.
• Sky - on completion of the 12-month Customer Sales apprenticeship you'll receive a Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner qualification in England or a Level 6 SVQ in Scotland.
• Volvo - the 18-month, Level 2 Vehicle Sales Apprenticeship teaches you how to identify customer needs, how to advise customers, promote the features and benefits of Volvo vehicles and negotiate difficult sales.

What do sales apprenticeships involve?

The nature of apprenticeship schemes depends on the role. However, you can expect sales-focused programmes to have some common traits. You'll either work in Business-to-Consumer (B2C) or Business-to-Business (B2B) sales.

The work that you do will revolve around selling an organisations products or services and because of this a portion of your scheme will involve getting to know the product, customer base and the market the organisation operates in. A significant proportion of your apprenticeship (usually about one-fifth) will also typically include 'off-the-job' training, such as regular visits by experienced assessors, plus opportunities to study through virtual classroom sessions and e-learning modules.

The range of things you could be selling is huge and varies from IT software, cars and jewellery to soft drinks, confectionary and advertising space on a website.

For example, if you're working in car sales, you could be supporting the sales team by producing sales performance reports, negotiating sales and trade-in prices and advising customers on the best vehicle for them.

On the Level 2 Customer Sales programme at Sky activities include taking live calls from customers, listening to and understanding their needs, keeping up to date with Sky products and campaigns and delivering excellent customer service.

At CCEP Sales degree apprentices work within a defined sales area with allocated customers, which can include:

• bars
• cafes
• large supermarkets
• national high street names
• restaurants
• small independent convenience stores.

You'll deliver on sales targets by creating new business and strengthening existing relationships.

On the Sales/Account Manager degree apprenticeship at Amazon apprentices will work 40 hours a week Monday to Friday. You'll identify potential clients, conduct effective sales calls and close deals, cultivate and sustain relationships with clients, gain an insight into industry trends, develop negotiation skills and master data management tools and customer relationship management systems.

Learn more about degree apprenticeships.

How much will I be paid as a sales apprentice?

This depends on your employer, the level of your apprenticeship, and the role.

The current National Minimum Wage (NMW) for apprentices aged under 19 and an apprentice, or 19 or over and still in your first apprenticeship year, is £6.40 (as of April 2024).

However, many employers pay more than this. For example:

• Sky pays their Level 2 Customer Sales apprentices £22,300 per annum.
• CCEP pay their sales degree apprentices in Edinburgh £23,510, with annual salary reviews.
• While degree apprentices at Amazon can earn between £32,000 and £33,000 per year.

How do I become a sales apprentice?

There is no upper age limit for those wanting to do an apprenticeship, you just need to be over 16. There are certain entry requirements, though, and these vary depending on the level of your scheme.

• For Level 2 programmes you need to be over 16 and no longer in full time education.
• Level 3 apprenticeships usually require at least three GCSE passes (9-4 grade).
• Level 4 and 5 programmes require at least 5 GCSE passes as well as a Level 3 qualification, for example AS-levels.
• Degree apprenticeships, Levels 6 and 7 have the strictest requirements. As well as GCSE passes in English and maths (usually at grade 4 or above) you'll also need three A-levels as well as prior work experience. You’ll also need to be 18 or over.

Employers may set additional entry requirements so check before applying to a scheme.

You apply for an apprenticeship in the same way as you would a job. This involves doing some thorough research to make sure that you're aware of what the apprenticeship involves and tailoring your application to match it.

It will likely be an online application that requires you to submit your CV and a cover letter, but methods can vary so check before applying. To get you started, take a look at our example apprenticeship cover letter.

You may also need to sit situational judgement, numerical and psychometric tests as well as attend an assessment centre or insight day. Some companies also use video interviews as part of their recruitment process.

Read more about applying for an apprenticeship.

Will my apprenticeship lead to a job in sales?

This is something you'll need to check with your employer before starting your apprenticeship, but your chances of landing a permanent role are good. While not all schemes lead to guaranteed employment, the majority do.

Apprenticeships cost your employer money, so after investing the funds and the time and effort to train you, most want to keep this new talent within their business. In fact, some apprenticeship contracts might state a period of retainment after completion of the programme, tying you to the company for a number of years.

Find out more

• Take a look at the sales sector.
• Read all about apprenticeships.