Trade supplier
Level 2 · IntermediateSales, marketing and procurement 1 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 2 apprenticeship trains trade suppliers to work in builders' merchants, electrical wholesalers, or similar trade supply businesses, serving professional trade customers and processing orders. Apprentices develop product knowledge, customer service skills, and operational competence in a trade supply environment. It can lead to roles as a Senior Trade Supplier, Branch Manager, or Sales Representative.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Product knowledge across the relevant trade categories such as plumbing or electrical
Customer service skills and serving trade professionals effectively
Stock management, goods-in processes, and inventory accuracy
Using point-of-sale systems and processing customer orders
Safe handling and storage of trade products including hazardous materials
Health and safety in a trade counter and warehouse environment
Teamwork, communication, and commercial awareness in trade supply
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Serve trade customers at the counter and advise on product selection
Process customer orders using the company's ordering system
Pick and pack orders for collection or delivery
Receive and check incoming deliveries against purchase orders
Keep trade counter and warehouse areas tidy and well-stocked
Handle customer queries and resolve problems efficiently
Learn and apply product knowledge to help customers find the right item
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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