Bouncers get sales NVQs
August 13th, 2009 by Richard Aucock
TWO former bouncers have switched careers to become car dealers, with the help of NVQ qualifications.
Gareth Bland and Lee Holewa gained their qualifications in customer service – and are now employed as sales executives at Hartwell Grimsby Ford.
These latest recruitments are part of an ongoing initiative by Hartwell to train staff well. Vital, it says, with new car sales still at a low level; this is why it’s teamed up with training provider Autavis to fully exploit Government-funded schemes.
Autavis MD Nick Wright admits these are ‘unprecedented times for the motor industry, so it’s a case of everyone in the dealership having to raise their game even more.’
Bland and Holewa were model students models, he says. ‘In their desire to achieve their NVQs in customer service, Gareth and Lee have become real role models for those in customer facing jobs.
Former semi-pro goalkeeper Bland reckoned it had ‘really helped me develop, as I’m now conscious of listening much more.
‘I now understand the difference between good service and outstanding customer service.’
Holewa, previously a trained forklift engineer, noted the fact it’s an official qualification – ‘a national benchmark standard, so I feel a real sense of achievement.
‘I would certainly like to get more qualifications, and I’m already seeing more referrals and repeat business as a result of my training.’
The clincher, though, was noted by Holewa: ‘The more I learn, the more I will earn…’
But what’s in it for car dealers? Hartwell’s general manager is Steve Johnson, who said such qualifications help employees maintain focus.
‘As national qualifications take a period of months to achieve, rather than days, the focus is sustained longer – and therefore the impact is more noticeable than is sometimes the case with a traditional training course.’
ATA dealer technician landmark
Tags: autavis, grimsby ford, hartwell, nvq, training
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