Insights into training as a retail specialist:
On track to become a Sales Specialist at Wempe.
Prerequisites for the commercial specialist apprenticeship
School-leaving qualifications: Advanced technical college certificate or university entrance qualification/ A-levels
Apply as early as possible: The earlier you apply, the better your chances of completing your apprenticeship as a commercial specialist at your preferred location. Your willingness to change your place of residence will also increase your chances of finding an apprenticeship.
Start of apprenticeship, duration and salary
You can start your apprenticeship every year on August 1 or September 1, and it lasts three years. In addition to your salary, which is staggered according to the respective training year, you will receive additional sales bonuses. In addition to the school fees, Wempe also covers the costs of travel to the theory seminars at the vocational school.
Training content for prospective retail specialists: Theory
The theoretical part is taught in block courses at external seminars. The vocational school here is either the “Bildungszentrum des Einzelhandels (BZE)” or the “Akademie Handel”.
The subjects in the first part of the apprenticeship
Sales and marketing, merchandise management and accounting, economic and social studies, business processes in retail.
The subjects in the second part of the commercial specialist training program
Learning and working methods, corporate management and control, leadership, personnel management, communication and cooperation, retail marketing as well as procurement and logistics.
In addition, you will take part in numerous internal specialist seminars at the Wempe Academy as part of your training.
Training curriculum: Practical training
At the center of the retail specialist apprenticeship is the customer orientation that the profession entails. Topics such as customer care, product presentation and sales promotion are an important part of the job description. The practical content is deepened with training and learning programs at the Wempe Academy. You can also take on responsible subtasks and processes such as monitoring stock levels and incoming goods, cash register activities or using the CRM system. You will be trained in at least one Wempe branch. You are welcome to get to know another branch during your training as a retail specialist - abroad if possible.
The exams as required as part of the training
The examinations successfully passed at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce lead to two state-recognized qualifications. The first is Kauffachkraft im Einzelhandel, the second is Geprüfte:r Handelsfachwirt:in (IHK).
Further training during the apprenticeship
With the Wempe Academy, you can receive comprehensive further training during your retail specialist training: An innovative e-learning program accompanies our own internationally recognized qualification modules, internal seminars, coaching and learning modules in all areas - for example sales, product expertise, purchasing, marketing, leadership and much more. In addition to these training courses, you can also benefit from visits to trade fairs and specialist conferences as well as training courses and internships with major brands.
Prospects and opportunities on the job market
Working as a retail specialist offers various opportunities. For example, we support the development of your career as a junior professional at Wempe: through independent further training, advanced training as a business administrator or specialization in various specialist areas, qualifications as a sales professional, brand ambassador, department manager in watches/jewellery, jewelry expert and/or deputy managing director are possible. In addition, you can qualify as a Wempe High Potential after completing your training and benefit from particularly promising funding.
Contents of the curriculum in the 1st year of training
- Getting to know the Wempe culture
- Introduction to the digital workplace
- Familiarization with the CRM software, the cash register system and the goods acceptance and control
- Teaching basic knowledge about jewelry and watches
- Introduction to the Wempe webshop
- First conversations with customers, possibly accompanied
- Wempe Academy for trainees
Contents of the curriculum in the 2nd year of training
- Advice and sales
- Introduction to jewelry and watch service
- Possibly assuming responsibility for a brand within the
branch
- Support with event planning within the branch
- Accompanying the flow of goods from order to sale
within the branch
- Trip to Glashütte, visit to the Hamburg head office and
change of branch for at least four weeks
- Wempe Academy for trainees
Contents of the curriculum in the 3rd year of training
- Deepening specialist knowledge of watch brands in the upper
price segment
- Complaints management
- Independent cash register closing
- Wempe Academy for trainees
- Future/takeover interview
