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Lucas Heaton
Apprenticeship
Retail Apprentice
The advice I’d give to anyone considering an apprenticeship is to just do it, if you’re not enjoying what you do now, just go and do something you enjoy.
As a Retail Apprentice at Promenade Music in Morecambe, Lucas’ day-to-day role can consist of selling to customers on the shop floor, planning for shows and presentations across Manchester and Birmingham, and buying in the high-end products available to customers in store.
The shop manager, Steven Wren, explained how the business decided to employ an Apprentice after needing an extra staff member but wanted to give the opportunity to somebody willing to learn.
Steven said:
I would recommend the Apprenticeship Scheme to other businesses because you can get someone in that’s young and keen, who you can pass on various skills to, and of course its affordable for businesses.
Lancaster & Morecambe College’s dedicated Apprenticeship team were able to match the employer with Lucas, and all counterparts now work closely together to ensure Lucas receives progress reviews, opportunities, and mentoring.
When asked about the key skills he’s learnt during his time as an Apprentice, Lucas commented;
I’ve learnt to interact with people and build a bridge before trying to sell, because those bridges are the most important thing in retail. We need to have a good relationship with the customer, ensuring they trust us when buying a product from us.
No day is ever the same in my Apprenticeship; one day I could be here in the shop playing drums, and the next day I could be in Manchester presenting to 100 people about saxophones
Apprenticeships can be undertaken at intermediate, advanced, higher or degree levels. Usually the starting level depends on the learner’s existing qualifications and work experience. Following the completion of his current Apprenticeship, Lucas is keen to continue his journey and has expressed interest in a Higher Apprenticeship.
The advice I’d give to anyone considering an apprenticeship is to just do it, if you’re not enjoying what you do now, just go and do something you enjoy.
