Recognising the importance of investing in people, Clinton Cards Group is launching its EDI-accredited Retail Diploma, NVQ and Apprenticeship programme during National Apprenticeship Week 2010 (Feb 1-5), providing ongoing career development opportunities to thousands of staff across more than 800 stores.
Over the past three years the retailer has focused on both building and recognising staff skill sets across the business. This strengthened commitment to work-based learning has resulted in employee turnover figures improving by 14% since 2007. With 85% of Managers having over three years service, helping to create consistent, high-quality customer service in all stores.
19 year-old sales assistant Lauren Keeling joined her local Birthdays store in Rotherham in March 2009. In just ten months she has learnt new skills in customer service, till operation and stock taking and even helped to open and train new staff at a local Birthdays Pure Party Store.
Lauren, said: "I started out in retail after finishing school three years ago just to earn myself a bit of money - I didn't realise what a fun and challenging environment it is to work in. I really get a buzz out of talking to customers and helping them, so if you are a people person then retail is a great career to get into.
"There are so many opportunities to learn new skills at Birthdays which is great as I can become even better at my job and earn more money. Helping to open a brand new store was a great experience and has encouraged me to further my training with the new Customer Care NVQ later this year."
Annette Middlebrook, Group HR Director at Clinton Cards Group, added: "At whatever age or route people take to join our company, there are comprehensive and appealing career prospects available to them whether they are established professionals or school-leavers.
"People are surprised by this, as many typically start out in retail with a Saturday job or part-time work for a bit of extra income. The challenge for us is educating and motivating them to consider retail as not just a job but a long-term career."
Clinton Cards website
Over the past three years the retailer has focused on both building and recognising staff skill sets across the business. This strengthened commitment to work-based learning has resulted in employee turnover figures improving by 14% since 2007. With 85% of Managers having over three years service, helping to create consistent, high-quality customer service in all stores.
19 year-old sales assistant Lauren Keeling joined her local Birthdays store in Rotherham in March 2009. In just ten months she has learnt new skills in customer service, till operation and stock taking and even helped to open and train new staff at a local Birthdays Pure Party Store.
Lauren, said: "I started out in retail after finishing school three years ago just to earn myself a bit of money - I didn't realise what a fun and challenging environment it is to work in. I really get a buzz out of talking to customers and helping them, so if you are a people person then retail is a great career to get into.
"There are so many opportunities to learn new skills at Birthdays which is great as I can become even better at my job and earn more money. Helping to open a brand new store was a great experience and has encouraged me to further my training with the new Customer Care NVQ later this year."
Annette Middlebrook, Group HR Director at Clinton Cards Group, added: "At whatever age or route people take to join our company, there are comprehensive and appealing career prospects available to them whether they are established professionals or school-leavers.
"People are surprised by this, as many typically start out in retail with a Saturday job or part-time work for a bit of extra income. The challenge for us is educating and motivating them to consider retail as not just a job but a long-term career."
Clinton Cards website
Rotherham
No comments:
Post a Comment