Meet the Apprentice.

How long have you been an apprentice at Sytner BMW/MINI? I have been an apprentice for 8 months.

What made you apply for an apprenticeship role with Sytner? One of the reasons why I applied for the Sytner Apprentice role, is due to the fact I was studying law at the university of Coventry and I felt as though it was not something I enjoyed. As a result I started at looking at alternative routes which allowed me to study and earn a living at the same time. I started searching for apprenticeships in fields that I had a particular interest in, which was cars. I then came across the Sytner apprenticeship role and applied immediately, as not only would I have the opportunity to work in prestigious brand known worldwide, I will also have the flexibility to study and still earn a qualification.

What advice would you give to someone looking to apply for an apprenticeship? A piece of advice that I would offer to someone who is looking to apply for an apprenticeship; is to keep an open mind, stay motivated and always remember the end goal. As applying for an apprenticeship can be difficult, as you are essentially deviating from society norms, as the traditional route would be to attend university. However, if you stay dedicated and remind yourself of your personal goals, you will be able to persevere and enjoy being able to study and work. The best of both worlds.

What does an average day look like for you? My average day consists of coming in the morning and participating in the morning meeting by sharing my hot customers, appointments and handovers for the day. After the meeting, I create a to do list, which allows me to prioritise my tasks for the day. I then call all my “hot customers” and try to secure a deposit from them as soon as possible, by either sending a personalised “CITNOW” of the vehicle they enquired on, or seeing what is the best deal we can offer them. I then allocate an hour, to complete my coursework as early as possible as this is the only time the showroom is quiet. Subsequently my role throughout the day consists of greeting customers, qualifying them by finding out what they’re looking for, and by never letting a customer leave without feeling that they have received an exceptional customer experience, as per Sytner core values.

What is your favourite part about your current role? My absolute favourite part of the role, is the satisfaction you feel when a customer appreciates and acknowledges your efforts to provide the most memorable experience when purchasing their new vehicle. As an apprentice you are usually the first person to greet the customer, so by creating a fantastic first impression, shapes their whole experience.

What is your greatest achievement? My greatest achievement was becoming a Sales Executive in waiting. This was due to my hard work, perseverance and consistently trying to be the best at whatever I did. I was always eager to speak to customers and broke the record of selling the most cars in a week for an apprentice. That was an experience I will never forget!