NEWS AND EVENTS

Leigh from Levin - Wellington winner of the Retail Modern Apprentice of the Year

11 October 2008

Leigh Fraser is working towards her goal of becoming a retail manager and after winning the Wellington region Retail Modern Apprentice of the Year, she can complete the management level retail certificate, the National Certificate in Retail Level 4, free of charge.

Last night at the Duxton Hotel the winners of the Wellington Top Shop Awards were announced. The Retail Modern Apprentice of the Year is a new category at the awards, sponsored by the Retail Institute.

 The award is designed to recognise committed retailers on the Retail Modern Apprenticeship programme focussed on upskilling themselves to be the future managers and supervisors of their stores. The award is unique because it is the only one that recognises individuals as opposed to retail stores.

Leigh achieved the Modern Apprenticeship while working for Paper Plus Levin. She won the award because of her strong commitment to the retail industry. "Leigh has been consistently enthusiastic, positive, and industrious in her role as a Modern Apprentice". says Chris Dunn, her Modern Apprenticeship Coordinator.

 Leigh will be attending the overall Retail Modern Apprentice of the Year event at the final Top Shop Awards in Hamilton. There she will have a chance to win an Outward Bound learning experience and the title of New Zealand's Retail Modern Apprentice of the Year 2008.

The Retail Modern Apprenticeship programme is developed by Retail Institute and supported by the government.  It is a work-based training programme for young ambitious staff that is designed to help businesses develop new or existing staff. Leigh thinks the apprenticeship has really helped her, "I was able to apply what I learnt into everyday situations. I now know more about customers and their motives, needs and behaviours which I was able to take onboard and use this information to help provide outstanding customer service." She says.