Customer Service Apprentice

Customer Service Apprentice

Snodland Full-Time No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Assist customers with inquiries, billing, and service issues while gaining valuable experience.
  • Company: Join South East Water, a leading provider of drinking water to 2.3 million customers.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, paid volunteering days, and a generous pension scheme.
  • Why this job: Kickstart your career with an award-winning team and earn a recognised qualification.
  • Qualifications: GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4/C or equivalent; strong communication skills required.
  • Other info: Structured 24-month apprenticeship with guaranteed permanent position upon completion.

Do you want to jump-start your career while earning a well-regarded qualification? Do you have a strong desire to help others? Do you want to be a part of an award-winning team with a meaningful purpose? Then do not pass up this opportunity. We have regular apprenticeship intakes with a guaranteed, permanent position on successful completion.

As a Customer Service Apprentice, you will use your entire passion, drive, and willingness to give great service. And with so much variation, you can be sure that no two days will ever be the same. You will aid with billing inquiries, providing refunds, and setting up payment plans, as well as resolving water supply concerns including leaks and other problems.

The Institute of Customer Service has given our Customer Service team the distinction grade. We are one of just 18 organisations in the country to get this coveted honour. As a result, you will be joining a team that provides their all.

This is a structured 24-month apprenticeship that includes group workshops, individual training, and other assignments in addition to on-the-job learning. On your road to completing a Customer Service Specialist Level 3 Apprenticeship and securing a permanent career at the end of the apprenticeship programme, you can expect plenty of encouragement and support from your Trainers, Team Managers, Mentors, and Buddies.

It’s not a problem if you don’t have much work experience. We know you’ll bring a lot of determination and a strong desire to succeed. So, what’s most crucial is that you work well as a team and are comfortable speaking with others. In this role, you’ll focus on three key areas of performance: handling calls efficiently, maintaining quality, and providing the greatest customer experience possible.

We understand the importance of progressing in your career. As a result, your salary will rise as you progress through your apprenticeship. When you join, you’ll be a part of one of our call centre teams. We’re open Monday through Friday from 8:00 until 19:00 and on Saturday from 8:00 until 13:00. As a result, you will be able to schedule your shifts so that 1 in 6 Saturdays are worked. Your rotas will be available in advance so that you may make plans.

With monthly and quarterly bonuses offered based on your performance and assisting us in providing the greatest levels of customer satisfaction, you can earn additional money in addition to your income. On average, you can anticipate earning an additional £3,000 annually, with a possible maximum of £6,300.

Main responsibilities:
  • Develop and build knowledge of the Customer Service area by completing the apprentice pathway.
  • Understand the importance of the business areas, the processes, data protection, regulatory compliance and attendance.
  • Begin to build relationships with peers and colleagues to enhance the team working environment, resolve customer problems.
  • Develop an awareness of information and resources available and proactively ensure that skills and knowledge are deepened to enable progression.
  • Attend and contribute to team meetings with team, peers and colleagues.
  • Complete customer service level 3 apprenticeship.
You’ll need:
  • Achieved GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4/C (or equivalent).
  • Excellent computer abilities.
  • A passion for serving others and providing the best service.
  • Good time management skills supporting you to complete the apprenticeship.
  • Be self-assured conversing with others and engaging with new and different individuals.
  • Be goal-focused and like overcoming difficulties.
It will be a bonus if you have:
  • Experience and understanding of the importance of excellent customer satisfaction.

Employees are required to be flexible and to be prepared to perform duties and other tasks within their capabilities. The nature of our business is such that the contents of any job profile are subject to change from time to time.

We want to be the water company people want to be supplied by and want to work for. We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That’s why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

Benefits package:
  • Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.
  • 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.
  • Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.
  • Paid volunteering days.
  • Cycle to work scheme.
  • Health cash plan.
  • Life assurance.
  • Wellbeing related benefits.

To apply for this position, please submit your CV on our careers website. It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water. Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks. If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been looking for, apply now!

South East Water kindly asks that recruitment agencies refrain from submitting CVs to our employees or associates without explicit invitation from our HR Resourcing team. CVs sent on a speculative basis will not be acknowledged and will not assume any responsibility for fees or commissions in the event that we hire a candidate who applied directly or subsequently introduced by an instructed agency.

Compensation package:

Starting at £18,000 increasing to £24,810 over 24 months.

Join our team:

Be you, belong and valued. Grow a career with a meaningful purpose.

Can’t find a suitable opening? Introduce yourself to our recruiters and we’ll get in touch if there’s a role that seems like a good match.

About Us: We supply top-quality drinking water to 2.3 million customers in the southeast of England. Through a network of 9,000 miles of pipe, we deliver 544 million litres of water every day. It’s the skill and expertise of our employees that ensures our water meets the highest standards. We make sure we can meet the needs of our customers both now and in the future.

What you get from working with us:
  • Grow a career with a meaningful purpose.
  • Come to work to be safe, valued, and trusted.
  • We’ll encourage you to create and pursue new opportunities for personal growth.
  • A place to be the real you, build deeper connections and enjoy a sense of belonging.
  • Be invested in helping us to create a sustainable water supply for now, and in the future.

Customer Service Apprentice employer: South East Water

South East Water is an exceptional employer, offering a structured 24-month Customer Service Apprenticeship that not only provides a well-regarded qualification but also guarantees a permanent position upon successful completion. With a strong focus on employee growth, a supportive work culture, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, you will thrive in an environment that values your contributions while enjoying benefits such as a generous pension scheme, flexible holiday policies, and opportunities for additional earnings through performance bonuses.
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Contact Detail:

South East Water Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Customer Service Apprentice

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the core values and mission of StudySmarter. Understanding our commitment to customer service excellence will help you align your responses during interviews and demonstrate your enthusiasm for joining our award-winning team.

✨Tip Number 2

Practice your communication skills, as this role requires you to engage with customers effectively. Consider role-playing scenarios with friends or family to build confidence in handling various customer inquiries and complaints.

✨Tip Number 3

Research common customer service challenges and think about how you would approach resolving them. Being prepared with examples of how you would handle specific situations can set you apart during the interview process.

✨Tip Number 4

Network with current or former employees of StudySmarter if possible. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach when applying for the Customer Service Apprentice position.

We think you need these skills to ace Customer Service Apprentice

Excellent Communication Skills
Customer Service Orientation
Problem-Solving Skills
Time Management
Teamwork
Adaptability
Basic Computer Skills
Attention to Detail
Ability to Handle Customer Inquiries
Goal-Oriented Mindset
Interpersonal Skills
Understanding of Data Protection and Compliance
Proactive Learning Attitude

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant skills and experiences that align with the Customer Service Apprentice role. Emphasise any customer service experience, even if it's informal, and showcase your passion for helping others.

Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that expresses your enthusiasm for the apprenticeship. Mention why you want to work in customer service and how you can contribute to the team. Be sure to include specific examples of your communication skills and teamwork.

Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your GCSE Maths and English grades, as well as any other qualifications that may be relevant. If you have any additional training or certifications related to customer service, make sure to include those too.

Showcase Your Soft Skills: In your application, highlight soft skills such as time management, problem-solving, and adaptability. These are crucial for a customer service role and will demonstrate your readiness for the challenges of the apprenticeship.

How to prepare for a job interview at South East Water

✨Show Your Passion for Customer Service

Make sure to express your enthusiasm for helping others during the interview. Share any relevant experiences, even if they are from school or volunteer work, that demonstrate your commitment to providing excellent customer service.

✨Prepare for Common Customer Scenarios

Think about common customer service situations, such as handling complaints or resolving issues. Be ready to discuss how you would approach these scenarios, showcasing your problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.

✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills

Since this role involves working closely with colleagues, be prepared to talk about your experiences in team settings. Highlight any group projects or activities where you contributed to a positive team dynamic and achieved a common goal.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to ask questions about the company culture, training opportunities, or what success looks like in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you determine if it's the right fit for you.

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