Customer Service Advisor

Group 1 Automotive; Royal British Legion Village; On-site; GBP 16,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive retailer in England is seeking passionate Customer Service Advisor apprentices to join their team. The role is dynamic, involving interaction with customers and various departments to ensure an amazing service. Successful candidates will receive comprehensive training and support from a dedicated mentor, preparing them for a rewarding career with excellent earning potential and opportunities for progression post-apprenticeship. Salary starts at £15,704 for the first year, with the potential to increase based on age and progression afterward.

Benefits

Fully covered training-related costs

Mentorship support

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Outgoing and confident individual with a passion for customer service.
• Ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Arrange bookings and appointments for customers.
• Complete relevant paperwork and process invoices.
• Liaise with various departments to ensure great customer experience.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Customer service skills

Teamwork

Education

GCSE in English (grade 4)

GCSE in Maths (grade 4)

Job description

Customer Service Advisors are the main point of contact for customers when their vehicles are with us for maintenance or repair. The Service department is vital to the success of our business. Our Customer Service Advisors play a pivotal role in delighting our customers and encouraging their continued loyalty. This is a varied role where you will work with all departments bringing a friendly and energetic approach to your daily work. Every day is different within the Service Department so the role will vary. Some duties on a day-to-day basis may include:

• Customer Service: Arranging bookings and appointments, talking to customers both face to face and on the phone, communicating with the customer throughout the time that their vehicle is with us
• Administration: Completion of relevant paperwork for customer service and centre records, preparation of invoices, processing of warranty claims
• Teamwork: Liaison with all the relevant departments including workshop and management to deliver an amazing customer experience
• Promotion: Assisting with the sale of accessories and service plans

Our ideal Customer Service Advisor apprentice will be an outgoing, confident, and approachable problem solver who can deliver excellent customer service.

• Use a range of questioning skills, including listening and responding in a way that builds rapport, determines customer needs and expectations and achieves positive engagement and delivery.
• Depending on your job role and work environment: Use appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills, along with summarising language during face-to-face communications; and/or
• Depending on your job role and work environment: Use appropriate communication skills, along with reinforcement techniques (to confirm understanding) during non-facing customer interactions.
• Depending on your job role and work environment: Use an appropriate “tone of voice” in all communications, including written and digital, that reflect the organisation's brand.
• Provide clear explanations and offer options in order to help customers make choices that are mutually beneficial to both the customer and your organisation.
• Be able to organise yourself, prioritise your own workload/activity and work to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrate patience and calmness.
• Show you understand the customer's point of view.
• Use appropriate sign-posting or resolution to meet your customers needs and manage expectations.
• Maintain informative communication during service recovery.

Training schedule: Training will be delivered using a combination of virtual classroom remote learning and face-to-face block release weeks at our state-of-the-art training centre. Successful applicants must be prepared to travel to the Volkswagen Group National Learning Centre, in Milton Keynes, to complete their apprenticeship training. All training-related costs are fully covered as part of the programme, including travel, accommodation, and meals. In the workplace, your personal, dedicated mentor will support your continued learning as you apply the skills and knowledge you have gained through the remote sessions and at the Volkswagen Group National Learning Centre.

English and Maths guidance from the government changed on 11th February 2025. This employer wishes to support upskilling in both English and Maths by exception and as such the entry grade criteria as advertised still applies.

The closing date for this vacancy is insert date and interviews are expected to be held week commencing insert date. We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a sufficient number of applications. We therefore advise candidates to submit their applications as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please do not contact the retailer directly. Inspiro Learning carry out the full recruitment service for this employer. Due to the high number of applications, we cannot provide a timescale on when you are likely to receive a response. As most of our roles are recruited for on an ongoing basis, we will contact you if you are successful at progressing to the next step. It is not possible for us to contact every applicant individually. If you have not heard back on a specific vacancy but find another opportunity that is of interest to you, we welcome an additional application.

We are looking for passionate, enthusiastic apprentices to join our team and help us to deliver a customer service experience that will delight our customers and encourage their continued loyalty. We are looking for people who are passionate about our industry and our brand.

Personal skills we value:

• Enthusiasm and willingness to learn
• Teamwork
• Strong communication
• Customer Service

We are looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking individual to join our team and embark on a long term career, with excellent earning and progression opportunities once you complete your apprenticeship.

GCSE requirements:

• English (grade 4)
• Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Additional skills:

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Physical fitness

Volkswagen Group (VWG) is one of the UK's largest car retailers encompassing premium brands such as Audi, Bentley, SEAT, ŠKODA, Volkswagen, TES, Volkswagen Group Paint and Body and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. This network of retailers spans the UK, providing a wide range of career opportunities.

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age. National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices. Training course Customer service practitioner (level 2).

Hours: Monday- Friday 08:30-17:30. Possibility of Saturday workings and / or shifts. Working week will be confirmed on application. 40 hours a week. Start date Tuesday 10 February 2026. Duration 1 year. Once your apprenticeship is complete, you will continue your learning journey and you will have the opportunity to drive your career forward. Once qualified, the earning potential for a Customer Service Assistant is between £20,000 and £30,000, so it is worth considering the future opportunities beyond the apprenticeship. Some of our apprentices have gone on to become team leaders and managers within the retail network or even joined our team at Head Office in Milton Keynes.