Gemma Shaw was so impressed with her retail apprenticeship that when she became a manager, she did what she promised and is now supporting her team with ongoing work-based training.
Duty Manager Gemma, at the 019 Sweater Shop at Meadowhall in Sheffield, has enrolled her team members in a programme run by The Source Retail Training Academy and has even taken on an additional team member - on an apprenticeship basis, of course.
Apprentice Becky Wood, says: “019 Sweater Shop is such a fantastic place to work and I feel so lucky to have been offered this opportunity. Because my Supervisor is participating in a qualification too, I feel like I’m constantly supported. I just love my job.”
The Source's Head of Employer Engagement, Mike Denby, says: “Apprenticeships really are the future for business and fashion retailer 019 Sweater Shop is a fantastic example of a proactive employer who sees the benefits of work based qualifications for their staff and their store.
Gemma, the Duty Manager, has inspired her team to participate in qualifications and is supporting them to be the best they can be.” And Gemma herself says: “Since joining 019 Sweater Shop I’ve wanted to support the team and their development. We are a forward thinking company so Apprenticeships were the perfect solution. I’ve been a big advocate for Apprenticeships, since studying a Level 2 qualification when I first started my retail career. My qualification helped my skills knowledge and confidence to such an extent that I always said when I’m a manager, I will support my team in the same way – so I am!”
So if you pop into Meadowhall and visit the 019 Sweater Shop, be prepared to get some excellent customer service from the very knowledgeable staff there. And their sweaters look nice, too.
