DIFE to offer National Sales Apprenticeship in boost for the sales sector in the region.
DIFE and LMETB are delighted to collaborate with MSLETB to offer the National Sales Apprenticeship programme commencing in January 2024. This is the first time the two-year, internationally recognised programme will be offered in the Louth and Meath region.
This Sales Apprenticeship programme is a national programme, which was successfully launched in September 2020. It was designed by a consortia of sales industry partners and Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB). This objective of this two-year programme is to address the needs of industry and create “job ready” sales specialists, who can confidently operate in dynamic sales and customer service environments.
The programme has gone from strength to strength and now has almost 100 registered employers, from all industries including Agriculture, Manufacturing, Communications, Food & Drink, Hospitality, Recruitment, Construction, Motor, Retail and Education. The course is fully funded and is suitable for all sectors and companies based anywhere in Ireland. It is also open to existing staff or new hires and employers can avail of a grant of up to €4000 for each apprentice registered.
It offers a unique opportunity to learn in a practical, supportive environment while simultaneously working towards a recognised Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Major Level 6 Award. Successful graduates can further their careers within the sales sector and/or progress to further studies in higher education. Apprentices attend classroom classes in a location of their choice for 2 days every 6-8 weeks and join an online class for 2hrs every other week.
Jessica Martin (National Programme Manager) explained “The Sales Apprenticeship programme was designed by industry to suit industry needs. It’s an excellent tool to attract and retain key talent within a business. Employers are successfully using the programme to upskill existing sales staff and to train staff who want to embark on a career in Sales. We have welcomed 10 different groups across Ireland to date and look forward to welcoming our next class in Drogheda”.
Davy Mc Donnell, principal of DIFE welcomed the collaboration to offer the programme in the Northeast region stating the programme will “provide structured and detailed training and support in the world of sales to create strong salespeople of the future for local and regional employers in the sales sector”. He commended MSLETB in “leading the development of an apprenticeship in the sales area and the support provided in expanding the programme nationally, which will see the programme delivered in DIFE in Spring 2024”.
Expressions of interest from both employers and indeed potential apprentices are now invited for the programme in DIFE.
For further information contact dife@lmetb.ie or call 1800 100 100