Mercuri International are taking part in National Apprenticeship Week by celebrating a number of our past and present apprentices for ‘5 Days of Excellence’. We are celebrating all of the hard work our learners have put into their apprenticeship and all of their success so far.
National Apprenticeship Week 2023 is the 16th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships.
The week brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
Fran Sollis, Account Manager at Royal Mail finished her apprenticeship in December 2022 achieving a pass in her Level 4 Sales Executive apprenticeship! Fran spoke to us about the new skills her apprenticeship gave her and how it boosted her confidence in her new role.
“I work within Royal Mail as an Account Manager and I completed my Sales Executive apprenticeship in December 2022. After a number of years in sales leadership, I decided to move to field sales. So many of my selling skills had become a little rusty. Through Royal Mail’s investment in training to maintain a professional sales force of the highest calibre, I was offered the chance to take part in the Sales Executive Level 4 course to support me with the transition. It has really helped to boost my confidence in the new role, so I don’t feel like the team novice anymore. Vanessa Healey Gwilliam at Mercuri has always been there with support and guidance for me, and has given me the confidence that I needed to complete the course.”
“The apprenticeship has not only served as a refresher, but also given me new skills to add to my sales tool chest.”
Fran Sollis – Royal Mail
Fran undertook her apprenticeship through one of the most difficult times we have all experienced, throughout the pandemic Royal Mail experienced unprecedented pressure often working at over 500% above capacity, despite all of the pressures Fran has worked diligently through her programme and has not only gained new knowledge and skills, invigorated her previous knowledge, but gained a new found confidence in herself, It has been a pleasure to be able to support Fran, and I am truly delighted that she has achieved her apprenticeship!
Vanessa Healey Gwilliam, Sales Lead, Mercuri International
“Fran has done incredibly well to complete her apprenticeship against a very challenging commercial backdrop. Fran took on the challenge of the apprenticeship as she had recently moved from a desk sales manager to a field account manager, i.e. moved from leading a team to actually having the day to day responsibility of retaining and growing a portfolio of customers. The SEL4 has helped hone her skills and build confidence. It’s probably no coincidence that Fran’s sales performance this year (22/23) is currently the strongest in my team and I’ve seen her utilise specific learning from the course during her sales planning and when negotiating with customers.”
Sean Hickey, Regional Sales Manager, Royal Mail
Skills For Life
The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2023 is “Skills for Life”; reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills.
