apprenticeship

A critical misstep: The Government’s removal of Level 7 apprenticeship funding threatens professional development and economic growth

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The UK Government’s recent announcement to remove funding for Level 7 apprenticeships for individuals aged 22 and over from January 2026 represents a profound misunderstanding of professional development needs and economic realities. As the Institute of Sales Professionals (ISP), we stand firmly opposed to this short-sighted policy that will undermine the very foundations of skills … Read more

L7 Apprenticeship changes: What does this mean for sales careers?

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The government’s decision to limit L7 apprenticeship funding to those under 21 has sparked significant debate across professional sectors. As sales professionals, we’re uniquely positioned to examine what this policy shift means for our industry. The Policy Change: L7 apprenticeships, which are equivalent to master’s degree level, now have age-restricted funding.   Two sides of … Read more

Warwick Business School launches first-ever business sales module for MBA students

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In a landmark move for business education in the UK, Warwick Business School (WBS) has become the first business school to add a business sales module to its MBA course. Sales is the single most important activity as it brings in cash which is the lifeblood of any business.  Yet until now, business schools have not … Read more

The Institute of Sales Professionals launches AI-powered chat

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The Institute of Sales Professionals (ISP) is excited to announce the launch of its Virtual Sales Coach, designed to make it faster and easier for sales professionals to access the resources, articles and webinars they need to develop their skills and enhance their careers. Smarter search for a smarter sales profession The ISP library holds … Read more

ISP NextGen launches Sales Foundations Learning Track

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Sales is a powerful and rewarding career, but too many new professionals are set up to fail before they even get started. While 80% of buyers say trust is the key deciding factor (Harvard Business Review), only 3% see salespeople as trustworthy (HubSpot). With no formal pathway into the profession, many early-career salespeople are thrown … Read more

Avanade joins ISP as a Corporate Partner

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Avanade, the world’s leading Microsoft expert has joined the Institute of Sales Professionals as a Corporate Partner to promote and advance excellence in its sales professionals. Working together, Avanade will be better equipped to develop and retain its sales talent, leading to better business results. Guy Lloyd, MD of the Institute said, “We see this … Read more

Uniquely joins ISP as a Corporate Partner

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We’re delighted to welcome Uniquely as the latest Corporate Partner of the Institute of Sales Professionals (ISP). As a leading outsourced contact centre and field sales solutions provider, Uniquely is committed to developing its sales teams and delivering outstanding customer experiences. “People are at the heart of everything we do at Uniquely and this partnership … Read more

National Apprenticeship Week: Investing in Sales Talent

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How Do Apprenticeships Drive Business Growth? There is no such thing as a free lunch, or so the saying goes – but apprenticeships certainly represent outstanding value to employers who want to recruit new talent and/or upskill their workforce. These development programmes are built around the realities of the workplace, helping learners develop the skills … Read more

Selling to the public sector: An update from the Cabin Office

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In October The Institute of Sales Professionals members joined our webinar Selling to public sector to hear from Richard Hassett, Government Senior Policy Lead for the new Public Sector Procurement Act and learned how the new legislation will transform the way that the public sector buy. We also heard from Matt Spencer F.ISP how important … Read more

Gender parity in sales

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SHELLEY WALTERS considers how to bridge the gap between talent and representation The sales industry is rife with contradictions, presenting a complex landscape where gender disparity and performance often seem at odds. On the one hand, it remains heavily male-dominated, with men representing approximately 68.4 per cent of all sales professionals and women only 31.6 per … Read more

The critical need for investment in sales skills: A response to the Skills England Report

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The Skills England report1 published 24th September 2024 comprehensively overviews the UK’s skills landscape and future needs. However, its coverage of sales skills is limited, despite their critical importance to driving economic growth. This response highlights the report’s key references to sales and argues why investing in shorter sales apprenticeships, in addition to existing L4 … Read more