Apprentice stars get chance to shine

Skillsmart Retail is on the look out for rising stars as it searches for this yearís Retail Apprentice of the Year.

The competition, launched this week as part of Retail Weekís Rising Star Awards, is now open for applications and aims to seek out the very best retail Apprentice in the country.

Now in its second year, the award celebrates the achievements of retail Apprentices and their employers and culminates in the glitzy Rising Stars dinner on 4 September at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

Judith Meyrick, Apprenticeships Manager at Skillsmart Retail, said: ìApprenticeships are a fantastic tool for businesses and employees alike, and these awards give us a chance to reward and encourage the very best of them.

ìWe look forward to receiving this yearís applications and we hope they are up to the extremely high standard that we received last year.î

Last yearís winner, Marc Smith, was an Apprentice at Clarks Shoes, Inverness, and is now managing two stores. He said on winning the award: ìI am absolutely delighted to win this award as it gives me a sense of recognition from people higher up in the company who appreciate the work I do.

ìWhen I started work with Clarks five years ago, I was only part time as I was going to Uni to study social sciences. I soon left the course as I decided I wanted a career in retail. Winning this award gives me a good pat on the back for all my hard work.î

The 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/Modern Apprenticeship in 2007/2008.

To enter, employers or learning providers, together with their Apprentices should complete the entry form from the events section of the Skillsmart Retail website at www.skillsmartretail.com before 27 May 2008.

For more information please email judith.meyrick@skillsmartretail.com. All entries must be endorsed by the Apprenticeís employer.