Lorna Dale is currently completing her Level 4 Marketing Executive Apprenticeship with Viessmann UK Ltd through Oxford Professional Education. Read on as Lorna shares her experiences with her apprenticeship and the positive impact it has had on her career at Viessmann UK Ltd.
What was your background before starting your apprenticeship?
I have three A levels in Business, Economics and English Language. I also did a Level 3 apprenticeship in Business Administration previous to this apprenticeship.
Why did you decide to sign up to the apprenticeship?
I chose this apprenticeship with Viessmann as it’s the exact area and level of business I want to go into at this stage in my life with a sustainability focused company and it will help me create the building blocks I need for a career in Marketing. I thought about going to University but was put off by having to wait another 4 years to properly get into the workforce, so I am hoping to eventually get a degree through apprenticeships, therefore earning and learning while being a part of the Viessmann community.
How are you finding the apprenticeship?
I enjoy being able to apply my learning directly into my job and actually see the live action of a business like Viessmann, while learning the official ins and outs. It also means I can put into practice and figure out the areas of the apprenticeship that I like the best and get a real feel of my role within Viessmann.
How does the apprenticeship support your daily work?
I can apply my knowledge from my apprenticeship to my role, task and project which can give me more of an understanding as to why some marketing activities are done. It can also help manage my job more efficiently by implementing strategies and models.
Tell us about the company and what your job role involves?
The organisation that I work for is Viessmann UK Ltd, the UK subsidiary Viessmann Climate Solutions, which was acquired by the Carrier Group in 2023. Viessmann is a premium climate solutions brand, with a wide product range portfolio including boilers, heat pumps, solar power solutions, energy storage, and commercial energy and heating solutions.
Viessmann UK Ltd is both B2C and B2B, however it is primarily B2B. This is because we market our products to installers and architects. Installers are our main target audience and sell our products to homeowners, and architects will choose our products to suit the building they are working on. Commercial customers purchase our products straight from Viessmann as the manufacturer.
My role within Viessmann UK Ltd is marketing coordinator. I am responsible for coordinating various projects, such as events like trade shows, and online and offline literature and artwork production, communicating with both internal and external stakeholders. My role involves managing the general email inbox, forwarding emails to the correct department, and also replying to 4 or 5 star Trustpilot reviews to help our rating. Additionally, I help with lead generation by using our CRM system to allocate leads to installers and convert leads that come through from the website. I manage our image assets for merchants that want to put our products on their websites. Recently I have been helping the Viessmann Promotions team by processing claims from our promotions and loyalty programme.
How does Oxford Professional Education support you in your apprenticeship?
I can easily receive support with anything to do with my apprenticeship by emailing and/or scheduling a meeting. They help me with brainstorming how I can hit the criteria I need and making sure that I get the scope I need and want.
Would you recommend this apprenticeship to others?
I definitely would as it’s a more hands-on way to get the qualification you want, get paid while doing so, as well as gaining experience directly in the workplace and chosen industry. You can also see in real time how your learning applies to your role and it betters knowledge, skills and behaviours.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting an apprenticeship?
Do your research into what apprenticeship standard and level you think will suit you best and approach a company you would like to work for, you don’t need to wait for an apprenticeship to become available.
Oxford Professional Education offer a range of marketing, project management, and procurement apprenticeships. If you are interested in completing an apprenticeship or would like to hire an apprentice for your company, get in touch with our team to find out more.