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Retail Management Apprenticeship Programme

This year the Guild Academy produced its first 15 graduates from its retail management apprenticeship programme. 

The scheme was launched last year, with the aim of providing bespoke retail training and a nationally recognised qualification. 

Practical and interactive, the course content is designed specifically for SPAR retailers and is aimed at all levels of management and staff. 

The course consists of carefully tailored modules that comprise the subjects of health and safety, legislation, stock control, loss prevention, team effectiveness and retail selling.  The teaching is delivered in one- and two-day workshops over 12 months. 

All of the store owners, managers and assistant managers that have participated in the programme agree that as a result of the training they are now better at their jobs and more confident about their professional abilities. 

A number of significant cost savings and profit-enhancing initiatives have also been implemented in stores as a result of the programme, offering a strong return on the investment made. 

With more groups already enrolled on the programme, the Guild Academy is intent on providing this opportunity to stores across the Meridian & Welsh Guild over the coming years. 

Below are two case studies on participants of the programme.  For more information you can also read our Apprenticeship Booklet.

Resham Singh, SPAR Store Owner, on the SPAR Retail Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship Management Programme

"The Retail Programme really opens your eyes to what you and your business can really be"

Resham Singh and his family have owned the SPAR store in Chelmsley Wood for over 30 years.  The Store Manager Tracey, and Assistant Manager Sam, have both been with him for 16 years.  He currently owns one store but has impressive plans to expand into other areas.

Resham wanted to upskill himself and his team in preparation for this expansion and to redefine management roles to ensure that management confidence and competence is strong and that there is a formal structure to recruit new staff into.

Resham, who has also undertaken the course, said:

"I have found this to be an excellent management course; it is very different to management courses I have been on in the past.  The fact that it is bespoke to a SPAR retail environment and has a ‘hands on’ approach has meant that the ideas and techniques learnt in the course can be immediately applied on the shop floor.  In fact all of the ideas have been implemented with great success. 

As a store owner, I have noticed that the store is now operating much more efficiently.  We have a greater understanding and control of various aspects.  Waste has been reduced, we have a better plan of promotional activity and we have noticed an increase in turnover.  Tracey and Sam are now both much more confident managers and their attitude is much more positive and enthusiastic, which has increased store standards and general working practices. 

Both of them now have a much more business focused way of thinking and have a greater understanding of matters such as return on investment, profit and loss and accounts.  This means that I am more than happy to leave them to run the store and to bring in new ideas to push the business forwards." 

Tracey and Sam have also learnt a lot from the course:

"We worked our way up from sales assistants when we first joined the store 16 years ago.  Although both of us have been on training programmes we really feel a sense of achievement with this programme.  We both feel much more confident in our management roles.  The course has given us plenty of new ideas to help push the store forwards and has taken us outside of our comfort zone to learn new things.

The programme has helped change this from a job to a career; it has been fantastic to get recognition for the jobs we do and qualifications that we can take away which are ours."

Becky Sparkes, Director, on the SPAR Retail Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship Management Programme

"I have seen a great increase in the confidence and knowledge of all candidates"

Becky Sparkes is the fourth generation of her family to run a business that currently comprises three stores, all of which have been part of the SPAR group since the 1970s. 

Since starting as a sales assistant at the age of 20, she has rapidly risen to the position of Director.  Becky and her husband Adrian have undertaken the SPAR Retail Advanced Apprenticeship Management Programme along with six of her staff members. 

As a candidate on the course, Becky commented: 

“I found the courses to be very beneficial for my professional and personal development.  They gave me the opportunity as a business owner to step back and look at my business with unbiased eyes.  I have learnt many new skills that I can implement for business growth.

You do need to have dedication and self motivation to be able to complete the course; however I would strongly recommend this programme to my fellow managers and business owners.”

Becky’s strong belief in lifelong learning and self improvement has inspired her to include six senior members of her team on the programme, and she has already seen significant business improvements.

From a director’s perspective, Becky said: 

“This programme has given my managers a unique insight into the company and how business are run, covering many areas that may not normally be taken into account.  I have seen a great increase in the confidence and knowledge of all candidates throughout the duration of the programme.

Denise, the manager of the Food to Go area of the business, has seen an increase in sales, which has been due, in part, to the programme and her increased knowledge and focus on sales.  Toni, an established store manager, has personally improved greatly throughout the course of the business and as a result is preparing for a promotion to Area Manager.

I would anticipate that we will see a reduction in our wastage levels following the course due to the increase in knowledge and understanding.

Overall this programme has many business benefits and has assisted in the success of my business.”
 

For more information on the above programme please contact Guild Academy Assistant Manager Dave Hammond (07827830798).