Occupational Profile
Digital Industries Apprenticeship Standards have been designed by industry for apprentices’ employed in a wide variety of different organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
The actual job role of the apprentice will vary significantly from one employer to the next.
Assessment will motivate apprentices to do their very best, not just do enough to satisfy a minimum standard – for example by using a ‘high stakes’ method in the synoptic project, which gives apprentices a clear performance goal to aim at.
The assessment process will add value to both the apprentice and the employer, by complementing and building on normal performance management and development tools. It should enable and encourage progression and continuous professional development, by being linked to professional qualifications and recognition.
Technical Competencies
- Communication: works both independently and as part of a team and following the organisation’s code of practice; demonstrates an ability to communicate effectively and present both in writing and orally at all levels, using a range of tools.
- Customer Experience: demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and cultural awareness when dealing with colleagues, customers and clients during sales operations and whilst defining requirements with an emphasis on customer satisfaction and relationship management.
- Data Security: operates securely in line with organisational guidance, legislation and organisational software packages and complies with security of data and can effectively record, analyse and communicate data at the appropriate level using the organisation’s standard tools and processes throughout all sales interactions.
- Problem solving: applies structured techniques for troubleshooting, problem solving and analyses problems by selecting the appropriate tools and techniques in line with organisation guidance when dealing with sales as well as routine tasks
- Assesses and qualifies sales leads by developing a clear understanding of clients’ business needs and advising how these might be met with appropriate products, tools and techniques.
- Project management: works flexibly and demonstrates the ability to work under pressure independently and as part of a team to progress sales and manage their time, workflow, priorities and projects.
- Interprets and follows:
- health and safety legislation to securely and professional work productively in the work environment
- Data Protection Act 1998
- Sales of Goods Act 1979
- Sales process: professionally operates all sales-related tasks to maintain integrity, brand and company image during negotiations, handling of objections and closing sales with an understanding of the markets and external competitors
- Technical: ability to understand and explain the technical portfolio and technical systems sold within the organisation and can use the current hardware and operating systems available.
- Database and Campaign Management: prioritises their contacts and keeps an up to date database knowing when and why to contact current consumers or prospects in line with organisational requirements.
- Context / CPD: identifies and negotiates personal development in the context of the wider business and how their role relates to other roles in the business.
Duration
12 months (this does not include EPA period)
Options
Sales Associate, Sales Consultant, Sales Engineer, Entry Level Customer Support, Technical Retail Assistant, Technical Tele Sales, Junior Account Manager
Delivery
The delivery will be done mainly at the workplace, with the off-the-job training accounting for at least 6 hours a week. The assessor will regularly visit you at work to observe you performing relevant tasks and to carry out professional discussions. You will receive a login to an online portfolio.
You will complete Level 3 IT Technical Salesperson prior to taking the end-point assessment.
Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment.
Upon completion you can progress onto an advanced or higher apprenticeship at level 3, 4 or 5.
End Point Assessment
The end-point assessment (EPA) for Technical Salesperson contains 4 methods of assessment which will be graded as Fail, Pass or Distinction:
- A Portfolio
- A Project
- An Employer Reference
- A Structured Interview with an Assesor
Candidates for this course should be working in a related sector.
All applications will be reviewed on an individual basis. If you have experience or previous knowledge that will support your application please remember to include it. Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment.
As an employer that doesn’t pay the apprenticeship levy, you pay just 5% towards the cost of training and assessing an apprentice.
The government will pay the rest up to the funding band maximum.
You’ll pay the training provider directly and agree on a payment schedule.
If you employ fewer than 50 employees, the government will pay 100% of the apprenticeship training costs up to the funding band maximum for apprentices aged:
- 16 to 21
- 19 to 24 with an education, health and care plan provided by their local authority or has been in the care of their local authority
Paying employer National Insurance contributions
Employers may not need to pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions for an apprentice, if the apprentice is:
- under 25 years old
- on an approved UK government apprenticeship standard or framework (these can differ depending on country)
- earns less than £967 a week (£50,270 a year)
The apprentice, as an employee, will continue to pay Class 1 insurance contributions through their salary, this will only benefit the employer.
Read HMRC’s guidance on paying National Insurance contributions.