New retail apprentice scheme for Lincoln

Young people in Lincoln wanting to kick-start a career in retail will benefit from an innovative new training programme which is creating apprenticeship opportunities across the city.

The National Skills Academy for Retail, NSA for Retail, is partnering with Lincoln Business Improvement Group on the Retail Apprenticeship Scheme, a new concept which aims to unearth and develop the best young recruits for small to medium sized retailers.

A number of exciting opportunities have already come up for youngsters who join the scheme to train with a variety of leading Lincoln businesses.

Apprentices will also be paid around £100 per week for their work.

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Award-winning Elite Meats butchers, the historic White Hart Hotel and Bailgate Kitchens and Cookwear are all looking for eager apprentices keen to learn about the retail trade. Lincoln BIG is also looking for an apprentice to work in the Lincoln Visitor Information Centre.

Kenny Roberts from Elite Meats said: “This is a fantastic initiative and I am pleased to be able to take on a young person to teach the trade that I am so passionate about.

"An apprentice will add a new dimension to my business, and is also a way of giving something back to the community.

“It is great for me too that the RAS mentor will be coming into the shop to do most of the training and assessment, as well as the HR – this means I can concentrate on running the business.

“I started in the trade as 16-year-old as a YTS apprentice and therefore understand the benefits they can bring to an employer, as well as providing a platform for a young person to build a career.”

As part of the unique programme, each young person will be fully assessed and given extensive pre-employment training, to ensure that they are job-ready.

RAS is open to all independent retailers in England – all that retailers have to do is place a vacancy with the agency, and one of the NSA for Retail’s network of regional skills shops will do the rest.

Throughout the placement, RATA retains the responsibility and management of the apprentice, while independent retailers may also qualify for a £1,500 Apprenticeship grant to support them through the scheme.

Jane Rexworthy added: “We will support the employer throughout and all we ask is that businesses can provide a full time placement, with a minimum of 30 hours per week, for one year, in a safe working environment.

“If the apprentice is not suitable or a change in employer circumstances occurs, apprentices can be referred back to RATA.

"At the end of the programme, the apprentice will have a nationally recognised retail qualification and fantastic work experience on their CV, while the employer will have a fully trained member of staff with the option of taking them on permanently.”

For more information or to sign up for the Retail Apprenticeship Scheme call 0844 264 0238 or email ras@nsaforretail.com