Employers or learning providers who want to nominate someone for the Retail Apprentice of the Year award must complete an entry form by 27th May.

The award recognises and celebrates the achievements of apprentices and is designed to reflect and showcase best practice in the retail sector.  The Award will be presented at a gala dinner on 4 September at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

 

 

Eligibility

 

The Retail Apprentice of the Year Award is open to Level 2 and Level 3 retail apprentices in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales who are/were participating in or who completed a retail apprenticeship in 2007/2008.

 

Entry Process

 

To enter for the award, employers or learning providers, together with their apprentices should complete an entry form and return it to Skillsmart Retail by 27 May 2008.   

 

Judith Meyrick

Retail Apprenticeship Award

Skillsmart Retail

93 Newman Street

London

W1T 3EZ

 

Entry forms can be downloaded from www.skillsmartretail.com or by emailing a request for a copy to judith.meyrick@skillsmartretail.com.  All entries must be endorsed by the apprentice’s employer and returned by 27th May. For submissions after this date please contact judith.meyrick@skillsmartretail.com.

 

Newspaper production, kite flying, and Latin dance are the latest free workshops on offer to Merseyside apprentices in retail, hospitality and leisure. The ESF-funded workshops, arranged by Greater Merseyside Learning Provider Federation (GMLPF), are giving young people the chance to participate in creative activities linked to Liverpool's Captail of Culture programe.

The workshops, run by professionals in the creative sector, see the apprentices gain valuable skills such as teamwork and communications that they are putting into practice back in the workplace.

Employers or learning providers with apprentices who want a free workshop place can contact Jo Rymer at GMLPF on 0151 707 8775.

For more information visit Badged Apprenticeships

 

Asset Training held their annual celebration event in February at Noir club in Liverpool. The evening featured a presentation ceremony which recognised learners’ achievements and their employers’ commitment to training. Special ‘Capital of Culture’ theme guest, Mr John McArdle, Liverpool star of stage and sceen, presented the certificates along with Paul Tinsley from Merseyside GMLSC.

The evening also included a raffle which saw lucky winners walk away with generous prizes including

• Tickets for ‘The Beatles Story & Exhibition’
• Family passes for ‘Splash World’
• A great ‘Xbox’ gift package including brand new game, t-shirt & poster artwork.
• A ‘Superlambanana’ figurine from the ‘Liverpool ‘08 Store’

 

Live music was provided by Asset Training’s very own marketing manager, Alan Brown, who sang a very diverse set including songs from Sinatra, The Kaiser Chiefs & The Beatles.

 

Pictured below left are Paul Tinsley, LSC, (centre) with Alan Brown (right) and Peter McEvoy of Asset Training (right)

Pictured below right are assessor Jean Eccleston with achiever Laura Woolrich & mother Jeanette Woolrich from ‘GAF Interiors’

       

 

Retail Skills Shop (RSS), a partnership dedicated to providing information and resources to the North West retail sector, is offering support to large and small employers who want to develop staff and build their business. They also provide training information and advice for employees in retail and to those considering a career in this important sector

RSS closely work with the Retail Sector Skills Council and Learning & Skills Council to ensure that training offered to retail employees is lead by their needs. They also work closely with retail sub sectors such as shoes and jewellery to identify their specific training needs.

For more information on the Retail Skills Shop visit www.retailskillsshop.co.uk

 

The website for Capital of Culture Badged Apprenticeships has gone live. The site outlines the full range of cultural workshops available to apprentices in the retail, tourism and hospitality, and leisure sectors, plus lots more useful information on the project such as:

• who is eligible for the workshops
• how employers can benefit
• feedback from participants

Visit the site at www.badgedapprenticeships.co.uk

 

Skillsmart Retail has produced a leaflet to help providers promote retail apprenticeships to employers. The A5 sized fact sheet poses some core questions to employers on recruitment, profit, retention and career progression and provides Apprenticeships as the solution. To download a copy read Skillsmart Retail Learning Provider Bulletin Feburary 2008

Merseyside Apprentices in the retail, tourism and hospitality, and leisure sectors now have the opportunity to participate in a range of creative activity days linked to Liverpool’s status as European Capital of Culture 2008.

The Capital of Culture Badged Apprenticeships programme builds on Liverpool’s Capital of Culture status, providing cultural learning opportunities to enhance Apprentices’ skills. Key partners in the project include Greater Merseyside Learning Provider Federation (GMLPF), General Physics and The Culture Company.

Examples of creative activity days include Demystifying Modern Art at Tate Liverpool and Making Music at the Liverpool Philharmonic.

Young people on local Apprenticeships in retail, tourism and hospitality, and leisure are invited to take up these free opportunities. Companies who employ Apprentices in these sectors can benefit by sending candidates on these one day programmes: staff will learn new skills that will enable them to improve communication and interpersonal skills.

For a full range of creative activity days and details on how Apprentices can participate please contact Joanne Rymer at GMLPF on 0151 707 8775

 

The search is on for the country's most inspirational employers and apprentices for the 2008 Apprenticeship Awards. The judges are asking employers who have helped apprentices develop their skills and fulfil their potential to nominate themselves as soon as possible. There are 4 categories for companies: micro, small, medium and large.

The deadline for nominations is 29th February 2008. Visit apprenticeships.org.uk/awards for further details.

 

Leading specialist music retailer, HMV will be opening a major new concept store on South John Street at Liverpool One, Grosvenor’s £950 million retail-led transformation of the city centre.

HMV has signed-up for a 20,290 sq ft unit in Liverpool One which will also be home to Republic, Oasis, Warehouse, Jane Norman, The Body Shop and Esprit.   

Commenting on the deal, Neil Barber, head of retail leasing at Grosvenor, said: “HMV will complement a crowded line-up of high-quality brands already announced for South John Street.

“Together, they create a critical mass of high street fashion and lifestyle brands that complement the offers of John Lewis and Debenhams.”

HMV is the UK’s leading specialist retailer of music, DVD/video, computer games and related products.  It operates around 200 stores nationwide.

For furher details visit Liverpool One

 

Liverpool is predicted to become one of the UK's premier shopping cities within the next ten years. The Liverpool Echo reports on a recent study that suggests Liverpool will jump from its current 15th position to number 6 in the retail cities super league .

Read the full story at Liverpool Echo

 

The LSC has been working with Work Based Learning providers to reduce bureaucracy and paperwork involved in Apprenticeships. Since April 2007 a team of specialists have been helping a sample of providers implement advice given in a web-based guide on bureaucracy busting. Many providers have been able to spend fewer hours on administration.

A series of good practice events in each LSC region will share the lessons learned with all providers.

More details about bureaucracy busting can be found on the in the Partners section of the Apprenticeships website.

 

The latest Apprenticeship newsletter reports on an online resource developed by The Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) help Work Based Learning managers address key organisational issues.

CEL works with sector partners to ensure "world-class leadership" within the learning and skills sector. The online toolkit offers tips, practical exercises and essential information on topics like understanding the policy landscape, finance and funding and equality and diversity. Many providers have already subscribed to the toolkit and more than 400 leaders and managers are using it regularly.

For more information visit CEL Work Based Learning Toolkit

 

The Merseyside Retail Partnership are currently offering small and medium retail enterprises on Merseyside NVQ training for staff over the age of 19.  Funded through the Learning and Skills Council, training programmes are available in retail, business administration, customer services, IT, management, and warehousing. The Merseyside Retail Partnership consists of three specialist retail learning providers: Rocket Training, Asset Training and General Physics, who offer top quality, flexible, supportive learning programmes in the workplace.

Any interested companies can download a fax back enquiry form or ring Louise Lucas on 0151 259 1556.

Are you interested in visiting another European country to share expertise about training?

 

Grants are available under the Transversal programme to contribute to the professional development of those involved in education and work-based learning. The Transversal programme supports study visits that allow professionals to take part in a week-long programme of activities in another European country, learning about new practices and approaches. Participation in a study visit also provides invaluable networking opportunities and the chance to meet potential partners from other European countries for collaboration on transnational projects.

The programme is open to those involved in education and/or vocational education or training who would like to

• spend up to a week in another European country
• learn about teaching practices across Europe
• visit colleges, training providers, and organisations involved in designing and delivering education and training
• meet students, teachers, trainers, employers and trade unions

The closing date for applications is 15th October for visits in 2008. For further information and application details visit Transversal Study Visits programme

 

 

Greater Merseyside Learning Provider Federation (GMLPF) and GP UK have won a bid  to administer a Capital of Culture badged Apprenticeship programme. It will offer young people from Merseyside who are on an Apprenticeship programme in retail, tourism and hospitality or leisure an enhanced menu of themed learning opportunities relating to the European Capital of Culture.

GMLPF hope to work closely with providers from the retail, tourism and hospitality, and leisure sectors to deliver this programme, and are asking any interested providers to get in touch as soon as possible. For further details read the full story on the GMLPF website.

 

Retail forum member, General Physics have selected Johnsons as their Employer of the Month. This is a monthly award to recognise employers or managers who have demonstrated outstanding support to young staff on Apprenticeships programmes. Each year one of the Employers of the Month is voted Employer of the Year and invited to attend the company annual celebration of success, hosted by the CEO. Pictured left is Employer of the Month, Malcolm McKendrick  from Johnsons, and Cheryl James from General Physics.

General Physics also invite a selection of employers and learners to their quarterly performance review meetings. This encourages active involvement by all parties and offers the opportunity for people to raise issues, share best practice and generally evaluate progress and development. The two pictures below show learners and employers who attended the last performance review meeting. The next meeting is Thursday 6th December. Employers who work with General Physics who wish to attend can contact Linda O'Hara on 0151 346 2760.

 

Finally, General Physics were recently awarded the matrix Quality Kite mark and it may be of interest to General Physics employer clients that they offer free training in equal opportunities and diversity to both employers and learners. Please contact Susan Murphy on 0151 346 2750 for further details.

 

It's all hands on deck in preparation for Asset Training's 3rd annual celebration evening scheduled for November. The event will be a chance to celebrate the achievements of all Asset Training's learners over the past year and will include drinks, refreshments, entertainment, music and special guest stars.

Any young people enrolling and completing an Apprenticeship programme with Asset Training can expect an invite to future celebration events. Asset Training is still running their Introduce A Friend initiative - any learner who introduces a friend onto one of their apprenticeship programmes can claim £50 for both themselves AND their friend once both have completed their training.

 

September sees the opening of the eagerly awaited Liverpool city centre Primark store. Over 900 staff will be employed in the 5-floor customised building on Church Street.

 

A national review of Train to Gain has shown that the LSC's free skills brokerage service has exceeded targets in its first year with over 36,000 companies signing up. The majority of these companies were hard-to-reach employers who do not traditionally invest in training their staff.

Train to Gain is a free impartial service which employers can access to help identify skills gaps within their company, and source appropriate training.

For more details, visit the Train to Gain website.

 

National Minimum Wage levels have been amended and come into effect on 1st October 2007. Hourly rates for workers aged over 21 increase from £5.35 to £5.52, for 18 to 21 year olds from £4.45 to £4.60, and for 16 to 17 year olds from £3.30 to £3.40.

For further information visit National Minimum Wage

The Government has published new regulations which boost the minimum holiday entitlement to 24 days from 20 days. The regulations that will benefit millions of workers come into effect in October 2007. From April 2009 entitlements will rise further to 28 days.

For further information visit Government News Network

 

The closing date for entries for the People in Retail Awards 2007 is fast approaching. August 17th is the cut-off date for received entries. The awards will be held at the Novotel London West on 3rd October and will honour those individual employees and teams who have shown the greatest commitment to their customers. Recognising that committed individuals can only flourish in the right company culture, the awards will also honour the retailers who have done the most to empower their employees.

For further details visit People in Retail Awards 2007

 

Asset Training have moved premises and are now located at

5th Floor,

Daniel House,

Trinity Road (Off Stanley Road),

Bootle,

Liverpool

L20 3TB

The new premises has lift facilities and two brand new spacious training and meeting rooms. There are new IT training facilities including laptops and software, and an exclusive BKSB testing area on site.

 

Retail employers and MPs met at the House of Commons for Skillsmart Retail’s first-ever parliamentary event. The purpose of the event was to strengthen links between Skillsmart Retail, Government and retailers, and to ensure the continual success of the retail sector by improving skills in the sector. For the full story visit the Skillsmart Newsroom.

 

Apple will open a new retail store in Liverpool in 2008 which will be situated in Liverpool One, the city centre's £900 million regeneration project.

 

General Physics, who provide training in business administration, customer service, retail and team leadership, are currently piloting the revolutionary eNVQ with great success. The eNVQ is a new approach to vocational training that allows total online assessment of qualifications. In reality this means more flexibility and efficiency for both learners and their employers.

A member of the Centre of Vocational Excellence, General Physics works successfully with a variety of employers including NOREC and National Museums Liverpool, and has achieved noteworthy awards including Customer First and Investors in People. General Physics works in partnership with several organisations to deliver top quality training including the Learning and Skills Council, Retail Skills, Shop for Jobs and the Retail Academy. 

For further information about the new eNVQ or about any of General Physics’ services please contact Susan Murphy on 0151 346 2754 or 07792753143

Pictured above are two learners with awards achieved with the support of General Physics.

An Apprenticeship employer award event was held on 3rd May at Goodison Park to recognise businesses that have made strong committments to the Apprenticeship programme. The event provided an opportunity to see how local businesses have really benefitted from their invovlement with this national programme.

There was a really positive atmosphere on the night with Apprenticeship employers singing the praises of their past and present apprentices, and urging more businesses to get invovled.

The event included a local comedian, a local singer and top class catering.

Attendees at Apprenticeship Employer Awards: Alan Brown (Asset Training) and Susan Murphy (General Physics)

 

Asset Training have recently launched a "recruit-a-friend" campaign. If an existing apprentice introduces a friend or colleague to one of their Apprenticeship programmes, and they both go on to achieve their full awards, they BOTH receive £50. Asset are only a week into the initiative, but it's already proving very popular. For more details on the campaign including eligibility criteria and closing dates please contact Alan Brown.

 

The Retail Bulletin has launched the 2007 People in Retail awards which recognise individual employees, teams and retailers themselves who deliver oustanding customer service. There are 12 categories of awards which are open to all retailers, hospitality and leisure operators, whether large or small. For further details visit the People in Retail website.

 

Skillsmart Retail and Retail Week have launched the country's first Retail Level 3 Apprentice of the Year Award. The award recognises and rewards the hard work of young people in the retail sector and is open to level 3 apprentices who completed or are undertaking a retail apprenticeship in 2006/7. Employers and learning providers are invited to nominate apprentices they feel are worthy of recognition. For further information visit Retail Apprentice of the Year Award

The closing date for the 2007 National Training Awards is 26th April. These awards are open to any organisation or individual who has achieved success through training and learning. For further details visit National Traning Awards

 

Staff at Asset Training recently took time out to celebrate the company’s 10th birthday. Directors Marilyn & Peter McEvoy (pictured right) started the organisation back in 1996, delivering NVQ training to Wade Smith, a flagship clothes retailer based in Liverpool city centre. Asset’s reputation as a quality training provider grew steadily as did its contracts and the company moved to larger premises to accommodate the growing business and increased staff numbers.

 

Asset now delivers a wide range of apprenticeships, NVQs, training for the over 25s and bespoke training courses. It has developed successful working relationships with many key employers including the Alliance & Leicester Bank, Ethel Austin, Gibsons, SHS International, the Ashworth Mairs Group and Liverpool, Sefton & Knowsley Councils. Looking towards the future, Asset is committed to continuing the kind of service that has ensured its success over the past decade.

 

Through training provider Asset Training, a care company has experienced the benefits of Skillworks first hand.  Trimar Care Ltd, in its quest to ensure that the staff within the company are trained to the highest level possible. Thanks to Skillworks, 16 members of staff have achieved specific industry related training awards. Trimar Care is now planning to expand further by delivering training to external companies.

Trimar Care Ltd was one of eleven winners presented with a Medium Sized Enterprise Award for its commitment to helping staff to obtain specialised training.  Asset saw several of its clients nominated for awards including Pebblestones Counselling & Development Ltd (pictured right receiving Skillworks certificates) , Harsant Services and Joe Bullen Photography.

 

The Liverpool Daily Post today published the first image of the planned expansion of Marks and Spencer's Church Street store. The paper reports that this major refurbishment should see current retail space in the store increase by nearly 40%. Work is expected to start in 2007 and be completed in time for the official start of Liverpool's Capital of Culture title in January 2008.