Technical Sales Apprenticeship Review

I am currently a technical sales apprentice whilst working towards a degree in engineering. I have a mentor who I help day to day, including entering their opportunities and support requests on BFO. I am also working on campaigns, such as cyber and AVEVA advisors, where I must find/create emails and brochures and send out to customers.

I have developed much knowledge on BFO(salesforce) which I have never used before. I have received much training on our products and services. I have built on my presentation skills when speaking in meetings or on the phone/skype. I have also learnt to have a positive attitude and that learning from mistakes is good.

I have really enjoyed the programme so far. I felt I had very little knowledge of Schneider when I began, and was slightly overwhelmed at first. However, my colleges and mentors have made me feel welcome and have assured me to just ask if I have any issues or questions. I feel I have come a very long way during these first 6 months of the apprenticeship, and I'm looking forward to learn more.

Our manager has our 5 year apprenticeship plan, and made it very clear when we started how we will be rotating around the business. We have university 3 times a year for 1 week, and are given a day in the week to revise if we need. I feel this is very organised and clear.

I receive much support from my manager and mentor. When I am tasked with a project, we will organise a meeting when convenient to go through the task and any questions I may have. If I do struggle, I feel very comfortable contacting them to go over it. I feel very supported when needed.

My training provider is the University of Lincoln. During our weeks at uni, we get to know our lecturer and the structure of the module. When distance learning, we will have skype calls to go through any struggles I may have, and I can also email them anytime I feel I need help.

I feel having an engineering degree will help give us a good background when selling Schneider Products. Although we will never use CAD in our job role, for example, it is good to get an understanding of what the engineering do in our office, and be able to have a rough understanding.

We have had the opportunity to become a STEM ambassor, which helps promote schools or other people to get a better idea of why they should study Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Within our business, we have events such as a placeholder party which means we can have fun and get to know our colleagues more.

Yes

Schneider Electric is a great career path after school/college. We have the opportunity to gain a degree whilst working in the real world and earning. We will come out of uni with much experience as well as the degree, and have a full time job. I would recommend to anyone.

I would say to just be yourself. Schneider look for passion and a drive to do your best. Even if you don't have lots of knowledge already about Schneider's products and services, you need to feel ready to learn and soak up lots of information within your first few years especially.