News from Mercedes-Benz: Mercedes-Benz UK has welcomed its first intake of apprentices to the new Van Talent Development Programme.
A brand new and industry-first, the Van Talent Development Programme was developed in-house over two years at Mercedes-Benz UK and results in an Institute of Sales & Marketing Management (ISMM) Level 3 Diploma in Sales and Marketing.
The two-year programme will see an intake of 60 high calibre delegates in 2014. It focuses on sales and aftersales skills in the van sector, and exposes trainees to all sales opportunities including new and used vans, service and parts.
There are 26 modules during the two years, including formal training, feedback and coaching, and on-the-job experience, with all delegates benefiting from both a business and a field mentor to support them through the course.
In addition, there is online support from Talent Live, a web-based portal for each candidate to access via an iPad that they get for the duration of the Programme that contains blogs, links to useful sites and a forum for candidates and mentors to access.
Steve Bridge, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Vans, said, “We are dedicated to providing the best possible team to best support our customers. A significant part of this is the Van Talent Development Programme, which ensures that the delegates enrolled are achieving the highest possible standards in sales and aftersales.
“Our dealer network covers the length and breadth of the UK and provides out-of-hours servicing and Roadside Assistance, and with the Van Talent Development Programme we are continuing to grow the skills and knowledge of the team to best support our customers from sales, aftersales and beyond.”
Angela Shepherd, Head of Training at Mercedes-Benz UK, added, “The Van Talent Development Programme highlights our commitment to building careers within the company; thinking longer term and investing in our staff to continually advance skill set, knowledge and capability.
“We are extremely proud of this Programme, which was developed in-house and ultimately leads to an ISMM Level 3 Diploma – a sign of the quality of the Programme content. We look forward to progressing our delegates through the two-year course.”
