Cork College of FET Bishopstown adds new sales specialist course

CORK College of FET, Bishopstown Campus, has added a new option — the National Sales Apprenticeship — to their courses in Cork.

The Sales Apprenticeship was launched as employers and apprentices gathered alongside staff from Cork College of FET and Mayo Sligo Leitrim (MSLETB) to mark the occasion.

The National Sales Apprenticeship was launched by MSLETB in September 2020.

It was designed by a consortium of sales industry partners and MSLETB.

Following on from the successful rollout across the country Cork College of FET-Bishopstown Campus has partnered with MSLETB to bring this innovative national programme to Cork and to provide opportunities for Cork employees to upskill and reskill in this area.

The National Sales Apprenticeship is a two-year “earn and learn” programme, which leads to a recognised QQI qualification – a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Sales. 84% of the programme is delivered via a structured training programme within a workplace environment with the

remaining 16% delivered via online learning and face-to-face workshops offering flexibility to the employer and the apprentice.

Apprentices enrolled come from a range of industries including the motor industry, food and beverage industry, energy, construction and retail.

The following companies have apprentices on the programme: Audi Waterford; Energywise, Hollymount Industrial estate; Badger & Dodo Boutique; Coffee Roasters Ltd, Cork; Irish RollForming; Bweeng; Paraffin Store, Tralee; Denis and Mary Ryan Citroen dealers, Bishopstown; Stone Solutions, Co. Wexford, and Sea Box Containers, Glanmire.

In attendance at the launch was Jessica Martin, National Programme Manager of the Sales Apprenticeship who thanked Cork College of FET for their work in getting the apprenticeship off the ground and stated that she is looking forward to working together into the future, saying: “The Sales Apprenticeship has been designed to develop sales specialists who can work across any industry. Following on from our nationwide success, we in MSLETB are delighted to collaborate with Cork College of FET to bring the apprenticeship to Cork for the very first time.”

Speaking at the launch, John Fitzgibbons, Director of Further Education and Training, Cork ETB welcomed the first sales apprentices to Cork College of FET and wished them well in their studies stating: “Well done on taking the step to enrol on this apprenticeship programme. As the first group of sales apprentices in Cork, you are pioneers in this area and over the next two years will benefit from the expertise of your tutors, which will combine with and complement the off-the-job training you receive with your employer. Apprenticeship offers a real pathway to develop skills and upskill flexibly and earn as you learn. The very best of luck in your studies.”

For more information on Cork ETB’s FET offering, visit https://www.corketb.ie/fet.

For updates, visit Cork Education and Training Board or Cork ETB on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

For information on the Sales Apprenticeship visit www.apprenticeship.ie