Regional Sales & Marketing Apprentice Review

Working within a regional team, my role involves a variety of tasks. I help with the finance and observing the budget, as well as sales channel development to implement strategies to dealers and work with dealers to help redesign their showrooms. Also, being involved with marketing activities so having communication with dealers and ensuring they are reaching their targets, as well as help plan marketing activities for the year and attend various events.

I have noticed that my confidence has developed further from the tasks that I complete whether that is speaking to dealers, networking with other employees, asking questions within my team, completing presentations. I have learnt a lot of new skills by being able to navigate the internal systems and I have developed my Excel skills further by being able to use correct formulas and functions to create useful spreadsheets to help the team. Since I have obtained a lot more knowledge that has helped me towards being more confident.

I enjoy the programme because everyone is so welcoming, helpful and kind as they always make time to check-in and see how you are as well as feeling comfortable to go and speak to others and that you understand the work that needs to be completed. My team also make sure that I have a variety of work by enabling me to try different departments within the region, therefore developing my skill set further and identifying which roles I feel I am most competent in and enjoy as well as solidifying my knowledge and continuing to learn.

The programme is organised with allocated university days, having regular meetings with my manager and other members of the team. Also, with the university and quarterly calls with my manager to explain any information they need to know, I believe my department is well organised to provide me the skills I need to learn and grow to help to develop further.

I receive a lot of support from my employer as with my departmental manager and placement managers we have one to ones, discuss the tasks that I have completed, also they check-in on how I am getting on, receive any feedback from both a work and study perspective. Additionally, my manager is very understanding of my studies etc because we have clear communication so they are aware of what I am learning and how they can support my learning towards a specific module etc. Also, I receive support from my apprenticeship manager where we can talk to them about apprenticeship or any concerns.

The support I receive from the training provider can sometimes be ambiguous and holds some uncertainty for assignments that need to be completed. On the other hand, I also feel that I can chat to some of the lecturers knowing that they could help with assignments and they also make the lectures engaging and interactive.

I feel that my qualification so far helps me perform in my role because some of the modules have allowed me to think further about reflection and also what I want to try and achieve later on in life, so by identifying this it provides further clarity on some actions I need to take. After completing more modules it has allowed me to think with a different perspective of how certain things are run and has helped me understand the business further as well as helping identify any areas that could enhance the operations of the business, based on the assignment topic, so allows you to think deeper and you receive support from your managers as well.

I have had the opportunity to attend events within my department to network professionally, which has helped my confidence and skills as well as learning about our clients. As well as having the opportunity to go to schools to talk about the apprenticeship and get involved with hosting interns/apprentices at work.

Yes

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a great company to work for because of all the experiences I have been involved in, that none of my friends who have attended university have as I have developed so many skills and had many opportunities. I feel that the work is always varied, so you are always experiencing new and challenging things which helps you develop as a person. Everyone who I have encountered is supportive, friendly, helpful and willing to advise you.

My experience was different to others because we were unable to attend the apprentice assessment centre because it was during the pandemic. However, it was equally as challenging as it was difficult over Teams trying to engage with other applicants. I would say you have to be confident in yourself as they want to know you and your abilities and just be yourself.