Customer Service, Retail and Travel
Modern Apprenticeship
What's Customer Service, Retail and Travel like?
The Customer Service, Retail and Travel Modern Apprenticeship is a great way into roles in one of these areas, or to progress further in your current role:
customer service
retail service
travel service
You could be working in a small, medium or large organisation, including contact centres, venues, surgeries or offices.
You'd choose to specialise in one of the three pathways: Customer Service, Retail or Travel. Each pathway gives you the skills and knowledge to become competent in your role.
The apprenticeships include a balance of technical, business and interpersonal skills areas. These are ideal for today’s customer-focused jobs.
SCQF Level 5
At Level 5, the apprenticeship supports you at entry-level customer roles.
The Customer Service pathway at Level 5 supports you in roles such as:
call centre agent
customer service advisor
receptionist
sales advisor
The Retail Service pathway at Level 5 supports you in roles such as:
retail assistant
customer assistant
sales advisor
The Travel Service pathway at Level 5 supports you in roles such as:
travel advisor
travel consultant
SCQF Level 6
At Level 6, the apprenticeship supports you if you're:
at entry-level but you have some experience
looking to upskill in your services job and get formal qualifications
The Customer Service pathway at Level 6 supports you in roles such as:
team leader
senior
customer advisor
call centre agent
customer service advisor
receptionist
sales advisor
The Retail Service pathway at Level 6 supports you in roles such as:
senior sales assistant
retail team leader
merchandiser
The Travel Service pathway at Level 6 supports you in roles such as:
senior travel consultant
corporate travel consultant
leisure travel consultant
You'll gain a Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 5 or 6, which includes one of these qualifications:
Diploma in Providing Customer Services at SCQF Level 5
Diploma in Providing Retail Services at SCQF Level 5
Diploma in Providing Travel Services at SCQF Level 5
Diploma in Providing Customer Services at SCQF Level 6
Diploma in Providing Retail Services at SCQF Level 6
Diploma in Providing Travel Services at SCQF Level 6
There are optional learning outcomes in each pathway, which you can select to suit your job role.
Customer Service pathway
Learning outcomes include:
communicating with customers in a variety of formats
monitoring and solving customer problems
monitoring quality of customer service
allocating and checking work
organising delivery of customer service
Retail Service pathway
Learning outcomes include:
supporting effective team working
demonstrating products to customers
monitoring and supporting use of payment registers
ordering and receiving stock
evaluating promotional displays
Travel Service pathway
Learning outcomes include:
monitoring and passing on information which affects customers’ travel arrangements
processing foreign exchange transactions
When you successfully complete this apprenticeship, you'll have lots of opportunities for progressing in work and further learning.
SCQF Level 5
After completing this level, you might move to:
a higher level role in the same (or related) discipline
a similar level job in customer focused roles across various industries
further study at college or university
Modern Apprenticeships in Customer Service, Retail or Travel at SCQF Level 6
SCQF Level 6
After completing this level, you might move to:
a higher level role in the same (or related) discipline
a similar level job in customer focused roles across various industries
further study at college or university
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements at either level of this apprenticeship.
It's expected you'll be working in a service role, or can move into one. Your employer will help arrange this if necessary.
How does it work?
You’ll learn in a real-world environment and earn a wage. You’ll also study with a college or another learning provider.
How long will it take?
This apprenticeship takes around 1 year or 18 months, depending on which pathway you choose to specialise in:
Customer Services pathway – should take about 12 months to complete
Retail Services pathway – should take about 12 months to complete
Travel Services pathway – should take about 18 months to complete
How to apply
Use the 'Find vacancies near you' search at the end of this page to look for vacancies, then you can apply online.
You'll apply on Apprenticeships.scot or the company’s own website – there are details on the vacancy advert.