Parts Advisor apprentice

Group 1 Automotive; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive group in Southend-on-Sea is offering an exciting apprenticeship opportunity for a Parts Advisor. In this varied role, you will learn to drive parts sales and coordinate with the workshop team for effective service. Responsibilities include advising customers on vehicle issues, managing stock control, and taking orders. Successful candidates will demonstrate enthusiasm, teamwork, and strong communication skills. Training includes both virtual and in-person sessions at specialized centers. Salary starts at £15,704, with potential for higher earnings upon qualification.

Responsibilities

• Providing advice to customers on vehicle problems.
• Taking sales orders from customers in-person and over the phone.
• Stock control for vehicle parts and accessories.
• Maintaining an orderly stock room.
• Raising invoices for parts sold.

Skills

Enthusiasm and willingness to learn

Strong communication

Customer Service

IT skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Problem solving skills

Education

GCSE in English (grade 4/C)

GCSE in Maths (grade 4/C)

One other subject (grade 4/C)

Job description

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as a Parts Advisor apprentice. Our Parts Advisors drive sales of parts and accessories and liaise with the workshop team to ensure that they have the parts they need to work effectively. This is a varied role where you will gain the life and technical skills to build your career with us.

Responsibilities

• Providing advice to customers who are having problems with their vehicles
• Taking sales orders from customers both face to face and over the phone
• Stock control for vehicle parts and accessories
• Maintaining an ordered stock room
• Raising invoices for parts sold
• Liaison with internal teams to ensure the correct stock is placed at the right time, 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.
• Use appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills, along with summarising language during face-to-face communications; and/or
• Use appropriate communication skills, along with reinforcement techniques (to confirm understanding) during non-facing customer interactions.
• 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.

Skills & Personal Qualities

• Enthusiasm and willingness to learn
• Teamwork
• Strong communication
• Customer Service
• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Team working

Qualifications

• GCSE in English (grade 4/C)
• GCSE in Maths (grade 4/C)
• One other subject (grade 4/C)

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 costs are covered as part the programme (travel, accommodation and food). 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.

Salary & Benefits

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age. National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices. Once qualified, earning potential for a Parts Assistant is in excess of £20,000.

Start Date & Duration

Start date: Friday 20 February 2026

Duration: 1 year

Working week will be confirmed on application. Monday- Friday 8.30am- 5.30pm. Possibility of Saturday workings and/ or shifts. 40 hours a week.