Paragon skills for industry

Henry Johnson at Weymouth Skate Park

Henry Johnson is one of three managers at Weymouth Skate Park ‘The Front’. He was promoted to management level aged just 21 upon the completion of his Customer Service Apprenticeship.

Henry’s previous manager recognised the benefits that professional customer service skills would give to the company. “Being in the leisure industry, formal training for staff in this area was vital.”

Henry agreed that the vocational training would be beneficial to both himself and the company. The Apprenticeship was tailored to suit the leisure sector and the requirements of Henry’s job, and he found that the qualifications he obtained, including Key Skills in Communications and Application of Number, directly related to the job.

“The qualification allowed me to develop a better understanding of customers’ needs,” he explains.

“The training provided me with skills to deal with customers more effectively, meaning that I could give a better input to the company.”

Customer Service Training Assessor Bryony Blair saw a marked development in Henry’s approach to his job: “The way he dealt with customers began to improve from day one and he is now extremely professional when handling queries or complaints.”

The completion of the Apprenticeship resulted in increased satisfaction amongst the company’s customers and in a promotion for Henry. “Since the training was on-the-job I was able to continue gaining valuable experience,” he says. “The training definitely helped me get to this level.”

“I will be encouraging my employees to undertake an Apprenticeship, particularly in Customer Service. I believe that if all employees did the Apprenticeship it would make this a better working environment.”