Toyota Material Handling has announced a record apprentice intake for its UK business after it offered formal apprenticeships in sales for the first time.
Over 30 young people have joined the company as trainee service engineers and sales executives.
The new recruits will complete an 18-month Sales Executive apprenticeship and at the end of the programme, they will receive a Level 4 qualification.
This is regarded as being equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree, or a Higher National Certificate (HNC).
Delivered by Warrington-based BMS Progress, the apprenticeship includes several components, each of which has been designed to support the new starters as they begin their careers by providing them with the tools and techniques that will allow them to make the most of their natural ability within the fast-moving, high-pressure sales environment.
For example, the apprentices will be taught a range of analytical skills such as how to spot a customer’s needs, sales planning and preparation, negotiating and ‘closing’ techniques along with insight into gathering useful market intelligence.
Tim Purkis, TMHUK’s Sales Development Manager, believes that giving fledgling Sales Executives an opportunity to work towards a recognised qualification will prove highly beneficial not only to Toyota and the trainees themselves but also to the company’s clients.
Tim Purkis said: “There is no doubt that the logistics industry is becoming far more sophisticated. Today’s supply chain professionals are highly educated people who are fundamental to the success of their company.
"They want to deal with sales executives who understand the issues that are impacting upon their operation and have the skills and expertise to suggest solutions that will deliver the efficiencies they need.
“The MHE sales executive’s skills set has grown. Of course, the traditional qualities such as ambition, motivation, adaptability, and the ability to communicate are still just as important as they ever were.
"But now, successful sales personnel are expected to have extensive product knowledge, an understanding of a broad range of engineering issues and considerable IT skills.”
Meanwhile, the apprentice service engineers will learn how to inspect, maintain and repair all types of material handling equipment during a three-year programme that involves a combination of college work and in-house training.
Phill Bird, Commercial & Logistics Solutions Director at TMHUK, commented: “We are delighted to welcome our new starters to the company.
"Toyota has always been committed to investing in the training and development of young people who, we hope, will be the talented, highly valued employees of tomorrow."