Apprenticeship is a period of service & learning an art or a trade.  Cigar & pipe makers must apprentice to learn their crafts, since traditional education cannot compensate for the value of hands-on experience and oral traditions.  The same is true for Tobacconists, because books, videos, and words cannot fully explain and teach us everything we need to know about products or customers.  

CST begin their apprenticeship after they commit to the CST Code of Ethics & Standards.  Since it is the job of salesforces to service retailers, CST are in perpetual apprenticeship. 

CST use their TU Apprenticeship to strengthen their relationship with retail Tobacconists, learn from them, and service them better.  They accomplish this by using the CST Apprenticeship Tools:

Retail Shift Apprenticeship: working full shifts with Retail Tobacconsits, CST get credits which enhance their Certification.

Final Exam Administrator: CST administer the final exam to new retail Tobacconists, in the process they are giving service and bonding.

TOBACCONIST UNIVERSITY®  CST are not typical salespeople like one would find in any other industry: the subjective and emotional nature of the products we sell distinguishes the luxury tobacco business from any other.   For this reason, hiring and training salespeople with traditional methods is inadequate.  Luxury tobacco salespeople must develop strong relationships with retailers to understand and communicate effectively.  Every retailer serves a distinctive market with individual needs: no two stores or customers are alike.  The TOBACCONIST UNIVERSITY® CST Apprenticeship program is tailored to educate salespeople about the industry, products, and retail environment so they have all of the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively sell their products.     

A salesforce Tobacconist functions as a liaison between the cigar/pipe/tobacco maker and the retailer, who will consummate the relationship with the consumer.  Therefore, salespeople should convey all of the knowledge and values of the luxury tobacco producer to the retailer.  Simply trying to sell products or garner shelf space will alienate any retailer who is trying passionately to satisfy the varying needs of their customers.  Salespeople should be role models to retailers and their staff.  Their knowledge, professionalism, and support should foster long-term relationships that are mutually beneficial.