Ten scholarships up for grabs to the prestigious Oxford Summer School

Skillsmart Retail has once again teamed up with Retail Trust to offer ten free places to the Oxford Summer School.

Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, the Oxford Summer School has been described as the ëjewel in the crowní of UK retailing and offers the chance for junior managers from all areas of retail to take part in a challenging academic programme.

The week-long residential Summer School, held at Oxfordís picturesque Keble College from 22nd to 28th August, normally costs each delegate more than 1,750 and numbers are limited to 225, but for the fifth year, Skillsmart Retail and Retail Trust are offering ten bursaries to up-and-coming managerial talent.

After submitting a written application and completing a telephone interview, the ten winners will head to Oxford and build on key skills including how to manage people, money, marketing, merchandise and retail space.

The intensive course run by the British Shops and Stores Association, will include exercises, lectures and tutorials led by retail experts, presentations from leading retail figures, team-building events and social activities aimed at delivering an inspirational experience to help each delegate realise their potential.

This yearís speakers have yet to be confirmed, but the names will match last yearís line-up which included Mosaic Group Chief Executive Derek Lovelock and Furniture Village MD Peter Harrison.

Anne Seaman, Chief Executive of Skillsmart Retail said: ìThe Oxford Summer School is the ideal course for the UKís up-and-coming retail managers. The testimonials we have received from previous winners of our scholarships have been nothing but positive and the course is a real gateway to the next step in retail management.

ìI urge all young retail managers to apply for one of the scholarships as now more than ever, training is essential for those who really want to get ahead in their careers. All retail employers will know that a graduate of the Oxford Summer School will have some of the key skills needed to succeed.î

There are ten bursaries available which are open to all retail managers in independent and multiple businesses of all sizes.