Howdens apprentice

Howden Joinery Ltd; Wales; On-site; GBP 16,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK trade supplier is seeking enthusiastic Trade Sales and Service Apprentices to join their apprenticeship programme. Throughout this structured 12-15 month programme, you will gain hands-on experience in customer service, sales, and stock control. Supported by a mentor and the depot team, you will also complete a Level 2 Trade Supplier Apprenticeship. The role offers a starting salary of £15,704, paid holidays, and a generous staff discount on products.

Benefits

Paid holiday entitlement

Matched contribution pension scheme

Team incentives and social events

Generous staff discount on products

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to doing things well.
• Good communication skills and a customer-focused mindset.
• A proactive attitude with the ability to work independently.
• Effective organization and time management.
• A genuine interest in developing skills and growing a career.
• The right to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional service and build strong relationships with trade customers.
• Serve and sell on the trade counter, ensuring timely product delivery.
• Gain product knowledge to advise customers on kitchen and joinery ranges.
• Maintain stock levels and follow health and safety regulations.
• Grow confidence and communication skills in a team environment.
• Complete the apprenticeship and support trade customers in kitchen design.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Customer-focused mindset

Proactive attitude

Organisation and time management

Education

Level 2 Trade Supplier Apprenticeship

Job description

Overview

We're looking for enthusiastic, proactive people to join our apprenticeship programme and become an integral part of our depot teams. As a Trade Sales and Service Apprentice, you'll follow a structured development programme that combines practical depot experience with high-quality off-the-job training delivered by an approved apprenticeship training provider. This 12-15 month apprenticeship will give you hands-on experience across key areas of our depot, including customer service at the trade counter, sales and business development, stock control, and kitchen planning. You will be supported throughout by your Depot Manager, a dedicated mentor, and our in-house Learning and Development team, ensuring you grow in confidence and capability every step of the way.

What You'll Gain / Responsibilities

• Learn how to deliver exceptional service and build strong relationships with trade customers both in person and over the phone.
• Build skills in serving and selling to customers on the trade counter, and ensure customers receive their products in a timely and efficient manner.
• Gain product knowledge and develop the ability to advise customers on our kitchen, bedroom and joinery ranges, identifying new sales opportunities, and helping to drive the growth of the depot.
• Learn the principles of stock control and warehousing, ensuring stock levels are accurately maintained, and follow all health and safety regulations.
• Grow your confidence and communication skills as part of a close-knit team in a fast-paced depot environment.
• Be supported to complete your Level 2 Trade Supplier Apprenticeship, including English and Maths if required. Completing this apprenticeship opens doors to a variety of career opportunities across Howdens, with in-house Learning and Development programmes to support your progression. Many of our past apprentices have progressed into roles such as:
• Trade Counter Salesperson
• Business Developer
• Kitchen Sales Designer
• Depot Management Roles
• As a Kitchen Sales Designer, you will support our trade customers by turning their clients' dream kitchens into a reality. Meeting end users in their homes, you will listen to their vision, seek to clearly understand their needs, and offer your expert advice.

Requirements / Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to doing things well.
• Great communication skills and a customer-focused mindset.
• A proactive attitude with the ability to work independently and use your initiative.
• Good organisation and time management.
• A genuine interest in developing your skills and growing your career.
• The right to work in the UK.

About Howdens

At Howdens, we're proud to be one of the UK's leading apprenticeship employers. We have a long-standing commitment to developing talent and have been recognised among the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers since 2022. Our apprentices don’t just do a job – they build lasting careers. Howdens Joinery is the UK's number one trade kitchen supplier, trusted by over 460,000 trade professionals. With more than 900 depots and a growing presence across Europe, we are a business built on entrepreneurial spirit and strong local relationships. Sigma 3 (Kitchens) Ltd - Established in 1975, Sigma 3 is a leading manufacturer and retailer of quality kitchens & bedrooms with six own retail showrooms across South Wales and England.

Duration / Training / Support / Qualifications

• Duration: Typically 12-15 months (including End Point Assessment).
• Training: A mix of on-the-job experience and off-the-job learning.
• Support: From a mentor, depot team, learning and development team, and external apprenticeship training provider.
• Qualifications: Functional Skills in English and Maths (if needed).

Rewards And Benefits

• £15,704 annual salary
• Paid holiday entitlement
• A matched contribution pension scheme
• Team incentives and social events
• Generous staff discount on Howdens products