Customer advisor Review

In my day to day work life my responsibilities include: Cash handling, serving customers, scheduling deliveries and returns, gaining a positive customer relationship, account management and debt recovery. In my role we're the frontline of what people see when they come to Travis Perkins so we have to keep a positive attitude wherever possible to keep the relationship with the customer and the company reputation intact. Our main interaction is from the building trade however there is an increasing trend for online and face to face DIY customers.

Since working at Travis Perkins I have been enrolled on an in house forklift course. There are numerous online courses you can sign up for via I-learn on a wide range of subjects e.g. management skills, conflict resolution, team building, product knowledge and health and safety. I am lucky enough to be enrolled on a level 2 apprenticeship course soon to be a level 3 management course to develop my skills in the workplace further.

I really enjoy how easy the learning has been for the level 2 program, there's nothing really that can't be done either alongside your normal roll or you're doing it anyway. It doesn't take too much time out of your normal working week with the workshops only being once per month so it's no great pressure on the rest of your team. It helps you gain a greater insight into the companies structure and values which is a plus for everyone.

Before the program you are given a detailed timetable of all of the dates you need to attend for your course although is you are unavailable you can go to mop up sessions. The support I have received from the apprenticeship team has been brilliant, there's always someone to help a phone call or message away. They also provide face to face study sessions if they are needed which come in handy if you find it hard to find a minute in branch to get the course work written up.

My line manager has been incredibly supportive during the entirety of the apprenticeship, giving me the time I need to complete my coursework within my own branch meaning I didn't actually need to attend many of the support sessions. My mentor was outstanding, even though his role within the company has changed he is always available to point you in the right direction of who can help or help on the subject himself. Generally my branch were all supportive towards my learning seeing the benefit for everyone as it pushed me to try more things that weren't normally within my job role and routine. Everyone was willing to help me out if I was unsure on a subject that I was learning.

All the training providers themselves were all charismatic and the teaching methods were varied. Support easily is available via email, phone, support days and messenger and they are always quite quick to reply. If you can't attend a support session or a catch up lesson in your area a hotel is provided if you need to travel a long distance to attend another session. I really enjoyed the course and the dynamic learning content.

As this apprenticeship is designed specifically for my role it has helped me become more of a dynamic member of the team allowing me to complete more tasks and help my team. I can now do a much more wide range of branch activities such as health and safety briefings, lighting checks and branch walks which takes the pressure off my branch manager and assistant manager allowing them more time free time to catch up on their own work.

I know a lot of branches play football together however that's not my thing. We're lucky enough to have a brewery right across the road so if it's been a particularly bad week we tend to pop over there for a pint. Recently the company has held darts nights with 'celebrity' darts players and commentators. Every year the company pays for a Christmas meal and partial contribution to team drinks at our chosen venue.

Yes

I've spent 5 years working for Travis Perkins now and they are a good stable employer. I started my employment with no prior experience in the building trade but a forklift license. I began working in the yard as a forklift driver and now work in the office in sales. There are good opportunity for growth and education within the company too. There is a high range of apprenticeships for all members of staff including drivers, tool hire, management and sales.

Don't think the merchanting trade is just for people with prior experience or just for 'blokes' it's more important especially in sales that you have the talent for the gift of the gab, the products can be learnt as you go. Whilst it is a very dynamic and sometimes challenging environment and sometimes you do need a bit of a tough skin the rewards are there if you can get through that. Obviously it definitely doesn't hurt to know the trade, it will make your life miles easier but if you have the will to learn you'll do just fine.