At a Glance
- Tasks: Support our Customer Experience teams while gaining valuable skills and a recognised qualification.
- Company: Join Thirteen, a leading housing association in the North East.
- Benefits: Earn a salary, enjoy 28 days leave, and access health support.
- Other info: Open to anyone aged 16+, with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career with hands-on experience and mentorship from day one.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed, just a positive attitude and GCSEs in English and Maths.
The predicted salary is between 15434 - 15434 £ per year.
Join Thirteen as a Customer Experience Apprentice.
Location: Tees Valley
Salary: £15,434.32 per annum (yearly increments after Year 1). This is an 18 month apprenticeship.
Start your career with Thirteen. Earn a salary from day one while gaining a nationally recognised qualification and valuable on-the-job experience. Our Customer Experience Apprentice role is a great opportunity to earn while you learn in a supportive, professional environment. This apprenticeship is ideal if you enjoy working with people, developing communication skills, and want to build a career in a customer-focused role. You’ll gain real experience working as part of our Customer Experience and Touchpoint teams while completing a recognised qualification.
Why join us?
- Earn while you learn!
- No student debt
- Gain a nationally recognised qualification
- Support from experienced mentors
- Real work experience from day one
- Career opportunities after your apprenticeship – many of our apprentices go on to build long-term careers with Thirteen after completing their qualification.
Alongside the above, you’ll have access to a great range of benefits to support you at work and beyond. This includes 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (which increases with service), a competitive pension scheme, a day off for your birthday, and access to health and wellbeing support. You’ll also benefit from ongoing training and development opportunities to help you build your skills and progress your career with us.
About the apprenticeship:
- Level 3 Business Administration qualification
- Apprenticeship start date: Monday 7 September
- Mix of on-the-job training and college learning
- Day release to college (typically 1 day per week) - this will be either Stockton Riverside or Redcar & Cleveland
- Supported by experienced mentors throughout
What we’re looking for:
- You don’t need experience — just the right attitude and motivation:
- Interest in customer service, administration or working with people
- Willingness to learn and develop new skills
- Positive attitude and strong work ethic
- Good communication and teamwork skills
- GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C/4 or above (or predicted to achieve)
- Confident using IT systems and technology
- Must not already have qualification higher than a L1 in Business Administration
- Ability to travel to office locations and college
Our apprenticeship opportunities are open to anyone aged 16 or over. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups and women who are interested in building a career in trades and construction, as part of our commitment to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
What you’ll be doing:
- You’ll be supported throughout your apprenticeship to:
- Provide support to our Customer Experience and Touchpoint teams
- Assist with delivering a high-quality service to customers
- Carry out a range of administrative tasks and support day-to-day team activity
- Interact with customers through a variety of communication channels
- Learn how to build positive relationships with customers and colleagues
- Support accurate record keeping and data management across systems
- Work collaboratively with internal teams to resolve customer queries
- Take part in training, college learning and team activities
You’ll also learn how to communicate confidently and professionally, ensuring every customer interaction is handled with care and respect.
About Thirteen
Thirteen Group is one of the largest housing associations in the North East, providing homes and services to support local communities. We’re committed to investing in people and creating opportunities for future careers, which is why our apprenticeship programmes are such an important part of what we do. You’ll be joining a friendly and supportive organisation that values learning, development and helping you build a career you can be proud of.
Start your career with Thirteen, be a part of our vision to improve lives every day.
Our process
We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process and welcome applications from everyone. If you need any support or reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process — whether that’s help with your application, attending an interview, or completing an assessment — we’re here to help. You can contact our Talent Team at recruitment@thirteengroup.co.uk any time, and we’ll work with you to make sure the process is accessible and fair.
As part of our hiring process, if you’re successful we’ll need to verify your right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not a Skilled Worker Sponsoring Employer at this time.
Join us at our online webinar! Our Emerging Talent Coordinator will be joined by our in-house Employability Team to help you understand what being an apprentice at Thirteen looks like. We’ll provide you information on the roles available, and our process for applying.
We’re also super excited to be able to welcome you to an upcoming Apprenticeship & Jobs Fair at Middlesbrough Town Hall.
Customer Experience Apprentices employer: Thirteen
Thirteen is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and professional environment for Customer Experience Apprentices in Tees Valley. With a commitment to employee growth, you will earn while you learn, gain a nationally recognised qualification, and enjoy benefits such as 28 days annual leave, a competitive pension scheme, and health and wellbeing support. Join a friendly organisation that values your development and provides real opportunities for a rewarding career in customer service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Experience Apprentices
✨Get to Know Your Local Businesses
For an apprenticeship in customer support, don’t hesitate to pop into local shops or businesses. They might not have job postings up, but often they’re looking for eager apprentices who can learn on the job. Approach them with confidence and express your interest.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Dive into online forums and communities focused on customer support. Places like Reddit or specific Facebook groups are goldmines for advice and networking. You never know who might be looking for an apprentice or have insider tips about openings at places like Thirteen.
✨Tap Into Your School’s Resources
Make sure to use your school’s career services. They often have connections with companies looking for apprentices, which can give you a head start. Plus, they can help you polish your interview skills to shine during those crucial moments.
✨Show Your Passion Online
Create a simple portfolio showcasing any relevant experience, even if it's just customer service experience from part-time gigs. Share it on platforms like LinkedIn to make yourself more visible to employers like Thirteen. It’s all about getting your name out there and showing you’re keen to learn!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Experience Apprentices
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your communication skills!:In customer support, being able to communicate clearly and effectively is key. When writing your application, make sure to highlight any relevant experience where you've had to support or assist others, whether that's in a job, volunteering, or even in school projects. We want to see how you express yourself and ensure that your enthusiasm comes through!
Tailor your CV to the support role:Your CV should reflect skills that are essential for customer support, like patience, problem-solving, and empathy. Highlight any instances where you've handled difficult situations or resolved conflicts, even if they're not from a formal job. This is your chance to prove that you have the right mindset for an apprenticeship with us at Thirteen.
Include relevant coursework or certifications:If you've taken any courses related to customer service or communications, shout about them! This could be anything from online courses to workshops. Certifications show us you're serious about getting into the field and help us see your commitment to learning more in your apprenticeship.
Express your willingness to learn:Since this is an apprenticeship, showing that you’re eager to learn and grow is really important. In your cover letter, share specific reasons why you want to join Thirteen and how you're looking forward to gaining hands-on experience in customer support. We love candidates who are enthusiastic and ready to dive into the learning process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thirteen
✨Mastering Communication Skills
As a customer support apprentice, showcasing your verbal and written communication skills is essential. Think about past experiences where you've had to resolve issues or clarify misunderstandings – be ready to discuss these during your interview. Remember, it's all about demonstrating your ability to empathise with customers and provide effective solutions.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Get familiar with the products or services offered by Thirteen. Being knowledgeable about what they sell not only shows your interest but also helps you answer possible technical questions about how you’d assist customers. Prepare to discuss how you would approach learning about new products and your strategy for staying updated.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect interviewers to throw some real-life scenarios at you. Prepare for questions about how to handle difficult customers or complaints. They want to see how well you can think on your feet and apply your customer service skills in challenging situations. Try role-playing with a friend to feel more prepared!
✨Show Enthusiasm for Learning
Since you’re applying for an apprenticeship, the hiring team at Thirteen will be looking for your motivation to learn and grow. Be ready to express your eagerness to absorb knowledge from seasoned professionals and how you plan to contribute to the team's success. Show them that you're not just looking for a job, but a pathway to build your skills!
