Prerequisites for the apprenticeship as a commercial specialist

School leaving certificate: Vocational college qualification or German university entrance qualification (Abitur)
Our tip for your application: The earlier you apply, the better your chances to be accepted to the commercial specialist apprenticeship programme at the location of your choice. Willingness to move improves your chances of being accepted to the apprenticeship programme.

Beginning, duration and salary

You can start your apprenticeship every year on 1 August or 1 September, and it always takes three years. In addition to your salary, which is staggered according to your year of training, you also receive sales commissions. Wempe pays your tuition fees, as well as the costs of travel to the theoretical seminars at the vocational school.

Your theoretical training

The theoretical part of your apprenticeship is organised in blocks of time with external seminars. You  attend either the vocational school "Bildungszentrum des Einzelhandels (BZE)" or the "Akademie Handel".

The subjects in the first part of your apprenticeship

• Sales and marketing, merchandise management and accounting, economics and social sciences, business processes in retail.

The subjects in the second part of the continued training as a commercial specialist

• Learning and working methods, company management and control, leadership, personnel management, communication and cooperation, retail marketing, as well as procurement and logistics.
  In addition, you attend numerous specialist seminars at the Wempe Academy as part of your apprenticeship.

The practical part of your apprenticeship

The core of the commercial specialist apprenticeship is customer orientation. Important facets are: customer support, merchandise presentation and sales promotion. The practical content is substantiated with courses and training programmes at the Wempe Academy. You also take on parts of responsibilities and processes like monitoring inventories and incoming merchandise, cashier activities or using the CRM system. You are trained in at least one Wempe location, but you are also welcome to familiarise yourself with another location – even abroad if possible.

Your examinations during your apprenticeship

Successful exams taken before the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) earn you two state-approved qualifications. The first is that of  retail clerk, the second is that of qualified commercial specialist (IHK).

Our continued education programme as part of your apprenticeship

At the Wempe Academy, you can take part in extensive further training even during your apprenticeship as a commercial specialist: An innovative e-learning programme guides you through internal, internationally recognised qualification modules, internal seminars, coachings and learning modules in all areas – for example sales, product expertise, purchasing, marketing, leadership and many more. You also benefit from visits to trade fairs and specialist conferences as well as trainings and internships with major brands.

First-rate opportunities and chances in the job market

Working as a commercial specialist opens the door to a wide range of career paths. For instance, we support your development as a Junior Professional at Wempe. With independent continued training, the business management advancement training, or by specialising in various areas of expertise, you can focus on additional qualifications. Sales professional, brand ambassador, department manager watches/jewellery, expert jeweller and/or deputy managing director – anything is possible. Also, you can qualify as a Wempe High Potential after your apprenticeship and benefit from particularly promising support.