Retail Motor Industry: Vehicle Parts Operation

This Apprenticeship covers the sale of motor parts for all kinds of vehicles. Vehicle parts operatives (or parts advisers) order, sell and manage stock control on a wide range of parts and accessories for all kinds of vehicles – from cars and motorcycles, to lorries, buses and coaches.

Apprentices are likely to be working in a retail outlet selling vehicle parts. You’ll learn skills including how to receive, move, and store stock; keep records; write up orders; manage returns; process payments; and organise displays to promote vehicle parts.

During this time, you’ll develop knowledge of motor vehicles in order to understand the purpose of vehicle parts and how they function. The work is diverse and you’ll be working both behind the scenes receiving deliveries and at the front desk, serving customers.

A large part of this job is customer service-based. Vehicle parts operatives serve a range of customers, from dealerships to regular members of the public. They also advise customers on how to solve problems with their vehicle by suggesting the right parts to buy.

There’s a lot of administrative skill required for this role. IT skills will also come in handy, as stock lists are often managed with the aid of computer programs.