At a Glance
- Tasks: Gain hands-on experience in retail while studying for a Level 2 qualification.
- Company: Join St Catherine’s Hospice, a respected charity making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension contributions, and discounts.
- Other info: Apply early as the vacancy may close sooner due to high demand.
- Why this job: Kickstart your retail career and support sustainable shopping.
- Qualifications: No experience needed, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 14700 - 14700 £ per year.
Studying Retailer Level 2 Apprenticeship.
Assessment Day to be held at the hospice in Pease Pottage on 28 or 30 September 2026 (Please note these are the only dates available).
Closing date 18 September 2026. Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Looking for your first step into retail? Excited about sustainability and giving fashion a second life? We have an exciting opportunity for 16 – 18 years olds with no experience necessary, to gain real work experience across a dynamic trading team, developing the skills needed for a future in Retail.
If you’re looking for a hands-on role and motivated to support a sustainable organisation, this is your chance to gain valuable experience while making a real contribution. We are looking for enthusiasm, a willingness and drive to learn, and a genuine interest in a customer-focused career.
About Us: St Catherine’s Hospice is a respected local charity providing specialist hospice care alongside statutory service partners (GPs, District nursing etc) across West Sussex and East Surrey. We provide care in communities across Surrey and Sussex which are richly diverse and we want to reflect that in everything we do. We celebrate and support difference and welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you believe in the importance of what we do, share our values and want to be a part of an outstanding team building something important, we’d love to hear from you.
We have twelve charity shops located across Surrey and Sussex, with a large Trading Team that all work hard to contribute to eco-friendly second-hand shopping that helps raise vital funds for our Hospice.
The Role: The Retail & Trading Apprentice is offered on a 20 month full-time, fixed term basis. Working 37.5 hours per week, this will include your apprenticeship study time. As the Retail & Trading Apprentice, you’ll work towards your Level 2 qualification while gaining valuable, real-world experience. You’ll play an active role supporting across a variety of our shops, meeting new people, developing customer service skills and operational awareness of running charity shops.
About You: Are you looking to start your career in Retail or a customer-focused environment, whilst working towards a recognised qualification? Then join our team as a Retail & Trading Apprentice and begin an exciting journey developing your skills to communicate and build valuable relationships and promote sustainable shopping. This development role is designed to build your skills, knowledge, and confidence, enabling you to provide efficient and effective day-to-day support, contributing with new ideas, collaboration and energy and enthusiasm to learn.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Learning effective communication and customer-focused skills
- Operational skills to run and manage various shop locations
- Strategic insight into stock management, dynamic pricing and costs
- Working across a variety of locations
What You’ll Gain:
- A nationally recognised Level 2 qualification
- Practical, hands-on experience across a dynamic Trading Team
- Insight into working with a range of staff, volunteers and meeting customers
- Structured learning combined with on-the-job training
Our Shop Locations: Employees at St Catherine’s Hospice can enjoy a variety of benefits including generous annual leave starting at 25 days, rising to 30 days with length of service, plus Bank Holidays, and an opportunity to buy/sell annual leave days. Plus we offer a day off for volunteering & moving house. Generous Pension scheme with up to 9% employer contributions or honour of NHS pension. Life Assurance Scheme, Counselling Offering, and a range of discounts.
We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone and we are proud to be a Disability Confident Level 3 Employer, committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace. Please note a requirement of all roles at St Catherine’s is to complete mandatory E-learning training and remain compliant with this throughout your employment.
Authorised to work in the United Kingdom, please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorships. We are located in Grace Holland Avenue, Pease Pottage, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 9SL. You can access the Hospice by car, bus, bike or walking, with full transport details on our website.
If you require any additional information or would like to discuss this role further, please email jobs@stch.org.uk or give us a call on 01293 447353.
Retail & Trading Apprentice in Crawley employer: ICE Creates
At Noah's Ark, we pride ourselves on being an outstanding employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development within the charity sector. Located in Barnet, our state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to excellence ensure that our team members are equipped to thrive while contributing to our vital mission.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail & Trading Apprentice in Crawley
✨Dive into Local Retail Communities
Get involved in your local retail scene! Join community groups or social media pages where businesses and apprenticeships are often shared. This is a great way to connect with potential employers like ICE Creates and stay ahead of upcoming opportunities.
✨Leverage Career Fairs and Events
Keep an eye out for local career fairs and retail-specific events. These are goldmines for meeting hiring managers face-to-face. You can chat about apprenticeships, like the one for Retail & Trading Apprentice at ICE Creates, and get a feel for the company culture right from the start!
✨Show You've Got Passion for Retail
When you're in an interview or networking, share your enthusiasm for retail! Talk about your favourite shops, trends, or your personal shopping experiences. It shows that you genuinely care about the industry you want to join at ICE Creates.
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don't miss out on potential opportunities—apply directly through our website for the Retail & Trading Apprentice apprenticeship at ICE Creates! We often showcase unique roles that may not be listed elsewhere, so keep checking in to stay updated.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail & Trading Apprentice in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, you’ll want to highlight your ability to interact with customers effectively. Share any previous experience where you provided excellent service, whether that’s in a part-time job, school project, or even volunteer work! Make sure your CV really showcases these experiences to catch our attention at ICE Creates.
Reflect Your Enthusiasm in Your Cover Letter:As an apprentice, we’re especially interested in your eagerness to learn and grow in the retail environment. Use your cover letter to express why you're excited about starting your journey with us at ICE Creates. Show us how this apprenticeship aligns with your career goals in retail!
Tailor Your CV for the Retail Scene:When putting together your CV, use keywords related to retail like 'merchandising', 'inventory management', and 'sales targets'. A tailored CV can help us see that you understand and are ready for the retail industry right off the bat!
Don’t Forget to Include Any Relevant Courses or Certifications:If you’ve taken any short courses or received certificates related to retail or customer service, make sure to include them in your application. These little nuggets can really set you apart and display your commitment to the field as you kick off this apprenticeship with ICE Creates.
How to prepare for a job interview at ICE Creates
✨Know Your Products
As this is for a retail apprenticeship, it's crucial to know the products or services that ICE Creates offers. Take some time to browse their website or visit a store if possible. Familiarising yourself with the key features will show your enthusiasm and help you stand out in the interview.
✨Customer Interaction Scenarios
Expect some role-playing scenarios related to customer service during the interview. They might ask how you'd handle a difficult customer or showcase excellent service. Think of a couple of examples from your past experiences or even imagine some realistic situations you could encounter on the job.
✨Show Your Eagerness to Learn
As an apprentice, it's all about your willingness to grow and learn. Highlight your enthusiasm for picking up new skills and how you’re excited to be part of the retail environment. Maybe share a time when you learned something quickly and successfully applied it!
✨Dress the Part
While this might sound generic, dressing smart-casual is essential in retail. Show that you understand the importance of appearance in this sector. It doesn’t hurt to reflect the company’s vibe in your outfit – think about what employees might typically wear at ICE Creates.
