Standard Sales Apprenticeship programme: 

• Must be employed by a SOLAS ‘Approved Employer’ and registered as an apprentice.

• Aged 18 or over.

• Must have Grade O6/H7 or above in 5 Leaving Certificate subjects (including Maths F2/06/H7 along with English or Irish 06/H7) or a full QQI Level 5 or higher qualification.

• International applicants must present the equivalent of a full Level 5 qualification or higher.

• English is the language of tuition and assessment. Apprentices for whom English is not a first language must demonstrate proficiency in English and hold a minimum of a B1 CEFR or recognised equivalent.

• Non-EU applicants are subject to work permit regulations.

• Mature applicants aged 21 years and over without a Level 5 qualification will also be considered following an interview and submission of supporting documentation.

• Certified and non certified Recognition of Prior Learning will also be considered.

 

The apprenitceship will be delivered as follows: 

• 84% delivered "on-the-job" in the workplace
• 12% delivered in face to face workshops in an education and training environment
• 4% delivered online

Year 1

• Sales Fundamentals
• The Psychology of Sales
• Customer Service in the Experience Economy
• Sales Forecasting and Budgeting
• Legal and Ethical Considerations for Sales
• Marketing in the 21st Century
• Digital Skills for Sales

Year 2

• Sales Coaching
• Consultative Selling, Negotiation and Decision Making in Sales
• Developing Leadership Skills
• International Selling for the Sales Practitioner
• Action Entrepreneurship
• Capstone Module

On successful completion of the Sales Apprenticeship, you will receive a Level 6 Major Award; an Advanced Certificate in Sales. Holders of this award will be eligible to progress to higher education programmes, i.e Level 7 programmes on the NFQ.

• Good communication skills
• Effective time management, prioritisation and strategic alignment of activities
• Good customer service skills
• Ability to build customer relations

• Create business opportunities by identifying prospects, research and recommend new opportunities and sales options.
• Make accurate cost calculations to provide customers with quotations 
• Promote finance options depending on the needs of the customer
• Negotiate the terms of an agreement with a view to closing the sale
• Sell products by establishing contact and developing relationships with prospects and recommend solutions where appropriate.
• Liaise with suppliers to check the progress of existing orders; check the quantities of goods on display and in stock; record sales and order information and update colleagues where appropriate
• Ensure customer satisfaction is at the heart of all actions in the organisation
• Expedite the resolution of customer problems and complaints to maximize satisfaction
• Achieve agreed upon sales targets and outcomes within a deadline
• Identify product improvements or new products by remaining current on industry trends, market activities, and competitors.
• Prepares reports by collecting, analysing, and summarising information.
• Maintains quality service by establishing and enforcing organisation standards.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state‐of‐the‐art practices; participating in professional societies.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed as well as sharing best practice.

There are a wide range of industries that this apprenticeship can lead to, including:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Contact Centres
• Communications
• Entertainment
• Financial Services
• Technology
• Property
• Hospitality
• Healthcare
• Insurance
• Motor
• Manufacturing
• IT
• Agriculture
• Retail

Note: People in employment have a number of options for both Educational and Career Progression. It might also be possible to gain promotion within your existing company.  By using your existing qualifications and your experience you might to able to secure an alternative position in a more senior role in another company. It may also be possible to set up your own company based again on your existing qualifications and experience.  Whatever route you decide to take remember education is a lifelong pursuit and you can always continue to up skill and/or retrain, whatever your age.  Links to some educational and enterprise supports can be found below.    

Career Progression Useful Links:  

Educational Supports:  

On completion of an apprenticeship your educational progression options may be offered as full awards on the NFQ levels 7-10 National Framework .  You may also decide to embark on a partial award or to up skill in a particular area by undertaking a short specialised course.  

Depending on your skills, knowledge and experience some of the opportunities below might be appropriate to help develop your Career pathway.   

• Springboard & conversion courses  
• Skillnet Sector learning network courses
• Local ETB Board Skills to advance
• Further education training centres Fetchcourses
• Post graduate education Search Post Graduate options

Enterprise and Self-Employment Support:

On completion of anapprenticeship if you feel you have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience you may decide to set up your own business. The links below might be useful to support you:

• Local Enterprise Offices, For profit Local enterprise support
• Local Area partnerships For profit Partnership enterprise support
• Social entrepreneurs: Not-for-profit enterprise support
• Franchising: Developing your business under an established franchise

Intake for 2024 - 2025 - Closing Dates:

CORK – 9th Sept 2024 –Cork College of Further Education and Training (Bishopstown, Cork)

LEITRIM – 9th  Sept 2024- Mayo, Sligo, and Leitrim Education and Training Board (The Bush Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim)

LOUTH –Jan 2025 - Drogheda Institute of Further Education (Drogheda, Co. Louth)

DUBLIN – Feb 2025 - City of Dublin Education and Training Board (Whitehall College of Further Education, Dublin) *Waiting list only”

KERRY – Feb 2025 - Kerry Education and Training Board (Tralee, Co. Kerry)

TIPPERARY – Feb 2025- Tipperary Education and Training Board (Thurles, Tipperary)

MAYO – Apr 2025- Mayo College of Further Education and Training (Claremorris, Co. Mayo)

To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies and a list of currently approved apprentice employers on the Apprenticeship Jobs & Employers Portal. You can search for vacancies by location, and employers in each apprenticeship.

Use this link to explore a list of Approved Employers by Region and by Apprenticeship type.

This apprenticeship is managed by Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSL ETB). If you are interested in a sales specialist apprenticeship you should make contact with MSLETB via the contact details below.

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available in the Sales Specialist Apprenticeship brochure.

Further information is also available from the co-ordinating provider for this apprenticeship:

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board
Siobhan Magner
National Programme Manager (Sales Apprenticeship)
Sligo Training Centre
Ballytivnan
Sligo

Email: [email protected]
Tel: 087 2148139

Email: [email protected] 
Tel: 086 0598810
Web: msletbtrainingcentres.ie

Finding an employer and securing your apprenticeship

Finding an employer or registering your interest with an official Coordinating Provider is one of the first things you need to do to start an apprenticeship.

Online Jobsites

Here are some direct links to employment websites that frequently list apprenticeship vacancies.

Note: These websites may include vacancies that are not QQI accredited Apprenticeships.

The employer pays the apprentice for the duration of this apprenticeship programme. The rate of pay agreed for this apprenticeship is agreed between the employer and the apprentice.

Apprentices are not required to pay a student contribution for this apprenticeship.