Sheffieldís premier retail skills shop is honoured in top employers list

Retail skills shop The Source, has been named as one of the best small companies to work for in the UK, just weeks before becoming a member of the National Skills Academy for Retail.

Staff at The Source voted the Sheffield company 17th in the 2009 Sunday Timesí 100 Best Small Companies list. It was also awarded three-star accreditation by judges, meaning it is acknowledged as an extraordinary place to work.

Ann Cadman, Director at The Source which is based at the Meadowhall Shopping Centre, said: ìTo be awarded with a nationally recognised accolade is a fabulous achievement for The Source – and it is testament to the hard work of the whole team that we have been able to create such a wonderful working environment.

ìThe Source has gone from strength to strength and this is all down to the exceptional team we have, who are hardworking, dedicated, enthusiastic and who love their work.

The Sunday Times list is published from the results of workplace views. Employees were asked to respond to 66 statements relating to leadership, wellbeing, management, team work, company, personal growth, giving and the idea of being given a fair deal.

Almost half of The Sourceís staff have been with the company for more than three years and believed personal growth within the organisation was good (84%), the company is valuable for their future (89%) and that managers are excellent role models (83%).

The award comes just weeks before the launch of the National Skills Academy (NSA) for Retail. On 29th April, The Source will become one of the first members of the NSA for Retail, which has been created to bring a unified approach to retail training across the country, through a network of one-stop, walk-in hubs based on high streets and in shopping centres.

The national approach to retail training will support 165,000 people over the first five years – around six per cent of the retail sector. The outcome will be the production of a substantial pool of work-ready, high-quality recruits to serve the needs of customers across the retail sector.

The Source has proved a great model for retail skills shops across the country and since it opened its doors six years ago, has helped more than 1,000 people in the Sheffield area find jobs in the local retail community.

Jane Rexworthy, Head of the NSA for Retail, said: ìThe Sourceís award is a great testament to the dedication of its staff. The hard work shown in Sheffield is mirrored by other retail skills shops across the country and the launch of the NSA for Retail will help unify all these hugely impressive outfits under one banner.

ìThe NSA for Retail will go a long way to improving skills within the sector and help retail move forward to thrive in the future.î