Meet Edward: Our Newest Member of the Sales and Marketing Team

I chose the apprenticeship route at Direct Air because it offered practical experience combined with structured learning. I was particularly interested in entering the technical sales industry, and this role provided me with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while also developing a deeper understanding of the theory behind sales.

Direct Air stood out to me as an employer because of its strong reputation within the compressed air industry and its commitment to supporting employee development. By completing my apprenticeship here, I can directly learn from experienced professionals, gain exposure to real customer interactions, and build a solid foundation in different sales techniques and methods. This combination of practical knowledge and theoretical training is equipping me with the skills and confidence I need to succeed in a long-term career within technical sales.

I am currently working towards a Level 4 Sales Executive apprenticeship. The programme includes weekly online classes completed off the job, where I develop my theoretical knowledge of sales processes, techniques, and best practices. Alongside this, I maintain a detailed logbook that evidences how I apply the skills and knowledge gained from the apprenticeship within my day-to-day role.

Each module is carefully structured to focus on different aspects of sales, including building customer relationships, effective communication, negotiation, and strategic account management. This ensures that the training is directly relevant and immediately applicable to my responsibilities within the business, helping me to continually improve my performance and contribute more effectively to the team.

Yes, alongside my apprenticeship I have completed three British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) courses, which have helped me deepen my knowledge of the industry and strengthen my technical understanding. I have also attended supplier led training days with BEKO and BOGE which gave me an insight into their products and how to stray up to date with industry standards. These additional qualifications have supported my development and allowed me to apply a higher level of expertise within my role.

In my role, I take on a variety of responsibilities across both the sales and marketing departments. On the sales side, I have been involved in preparing customer quotes, conducting site visits, and prospecting potential clients to support business growth. From a marketing perspective, I have also worked on maintaining and updating our CRM database to ensure information is accurate and up to date. This combination of tasks has allowed me to develop a well-rounded skill set while contributing to the efficiency and success of the team.