• What does a Sales apprentice do?

A sales apprentice at Coca Cola Europacific Partners is given the opportunity to try out different sales roles within the company. This includes field sales working as a representatitve, where you could be responsible for supporting over 300 independent businesses on accelerating their soft drinks sales, and also includes sales and marketing, where an apprentice could get experience working on important national accounts.

• How did you end up in this job?

I knew I didn’t want to go to university and was exploring different ways to study and work at the same time. I found this role by browsing on the government apprenticeships page, after filtering by qualification level. This job would enable me to attend university on a part-time basis whilst earning a full time wage.

• What was your starting salary?

My staring salary was £18,500 plus bonuses subject to hitting individual sales targets. Going into year 2 our cohort had a pay increase aligned with the transition into the 2nd rotation of the scheme.

• How long have you been doing your job?

I have been an apprentice for nearly 2 years now, and in my current role as a customer facing sales apprentice for nearly 6 months. The programme is 4 years long as this is how long the degree takes to complete, so will remain under the ‘apprentice’ title until 2026 when I graduate!

• Did you buy something special with your first pay cheque?

My first pay cheque was spent on my first ever month of rent after moving out for the first time. I had to relocate to London for the job and find my first flat, so I was excited to be starting a brand new journey. Doing a degree apprenticeship has allowed me to be financially independent and start a life in a big city, which I have loved.