Trade Supplier Apprenticeship

EDA led: the story behind the Trade Supplier Apprenticeship

A job-focussed rigorous programme of training

The wholesaler employer group that created Trade Supplier, the trailblazers, were led by the EDA and Chaired by Vicky Ordish, Learning and Development Business Partner with Rexel UK Ltd.

Vicky Ordish, also an EDA Education & Training Ambassador, explains why the Trade Supplier is so important for the sector

“This one-year apprenticeship standard has been designed to train new recruits to become fully-rounded trade suppliers. It’s a comprehensive job-focussed rigorous programme of training entirely relevant to a wholesaler branch.

“Other apprenticeships focus either on the warehouse or the trade counter, but Trade Supplier includes training in both these areas as well as a strong focus on customer needs, giving new recruits a broader base of skills and knowledge from which to launch their careers.

“Trade Supplier also represents excellent value for money for wholesalers, with smaller businesses paying just 5% – that’s £200 – towards the cost of training and assessment. Businesses can also benefit from up to £1,000 in payments for taking on younger or disadvantaged apprentices.”