Advancing Saint-Gobain with our Level 4 Sales Apprenticeship

BMS Progress
Improve Performance, Progress Careers

High-level training to develop and transform salespeople

Global construction company, Saint-Gobain, desired to provide continuous professional development to their team, regardless of their location. Uncover how our Level 4 Sales Executive Apprenticeship helped them achieve consistent training that could flex as required.

Saint-Gobain

Saint-Gobain is dedicated to designing, manufacturing and distributing materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Their core business is in the UK and Ireland, and they have multiple brands under the Saint-Gobain umbrella. Selling is a crucial part of each one.

Back in 2019, Kelly Wood, continual learning partner apprenticeships, went on a quest for support with apprenticeships. After seeing that we were one of the top graded and rated sales apprenticeship providers, we bid for their tender and came out on top. With national apprenticeship week 2022 in mind, Kelly explains why it was so important for Saint-Gobain to implement the level 4 sales apprenticeship, and how we helped to deliver on their training objectives.

"The relationship with BMS Progress has been really positive. With us having so many different brands, it would have been easy for them to say ‘no, we can’t adapt to every different initiative, that’s not our business model’. But they didn’t. Instead, they adapted and evolved to our needs – they were open-minded like us. So far, we’ve launched two cohorts with BMS Progress, and we’ll continue to work with them as our offering for apprenticeships expands."

Kelly Wood
:
Continual Learning Partner
BMS Progress - The challenge

The Objectives

When we approached BMS Progress, we made it clear we needed a training provider who could turn our goals into reality.

To continuously develop our team

Given how many businesses are under our umbrella, sales is a big part of what we do – and we needed to ensure that we continuously develop our people. After all, you should never stop learning.

To ensure consistent training

We wanted our entire sales team to have the same level of skills, knowledge and behaviour – wherever they were in the UK.

To maximise on our levy funds

Training has always been core to us, so it was instinct to flip this to utilise our apprenticeship levy funds where possible.

BMS Progress - The solution

The Solution

We gave four sales apprenticeship training providers the chance to bid for our tender – involving everything from KPI markers to interviews. This was an extremely thorough and fair process which also formed part of our auditing. It’s important for us to follow correct and just procedures when choosing any provider.

A commitment to learning

Level 4 is a high standard of education, and BMS Progress made it clear it was a programme for committed individuals. If someone didn’t demonstrate a desire to progress, they wouldn’t put them on the apprenticeship.

High level of development

The tender process allowed us to gain an in-depth understanding of BMS Progress, so we knew they could deliver the high level of learning that we required.

Adaptable programme

As a construction giant, our sales focus can shift within brands and businesses. We were pleased to see that BMS Progress was open and adaptable to change, specifically evolving a programme when needed.

BMS Progress - The result

The Result

BMS Progress was amazing from the off, helping line managers to ensure that everyone was fit for the programme. What’s more, those who’ve gone ahead with the apprenticeship have only had positive things to say about it.

Fantastic support

There’s a great group of tutors who’ve provided amazing support, including when individuals had personal issues. I must give a shout-out to Kane Keating, who would quickly flag any matter (like a learner being quiet) so we could act on it.

An advanced team

Some of our team are sales machines – they have years of experience and knowledge. But the apprenticeship has challenged, stretched and developed them. It’s a testament to BMS Progress that they’ve advanced in such a way.

Effective use of the levy

As a large organisation, we have a very big playroom filled with funds for apprenticeships. It’s still underutilised, but through the level 4 sales apprenticeship, we’re getting the best we can out of it.

Sustainable learning

BMS Progress’ offering is fully online, and this wasn’t just a successful way of teaching our team. It meant there was less time and travel involved, plus no need for vehicle or hotel costs. Through our training, we’re pushing towards our goal of cutting global carbon emissions by 2050.

How can BMS Progress help you?

Want to find out more? Whether it’s about a specific programme,  apprenticeship standard or just about us and how we work, our team is always on hand to help. Simply get in touch using the button below and we will endeavour to answer your questions.

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