Success stories
Reaping the rewards
James Beattie PLC employ 2,500 staff in their department stores.
They offer Apprenticeships in Retail and Administration and over 60 of their former apprentices are in management positions within the company.
What makes Apprenticeships such a great idea?
Sue Aston, Beatties’ Personnel Director, believes an increased demand for experienced retail staff has led to a shortage of enthusiastic, flexible and capable people in selling and customer service. She says: ‘Apprenticeships attract new people to the industry and enable young people without retail experience to develop the necessary skills… Apprenticeships also help us to identify and nurture those with the potential and desire to build a successful career in retailing.’
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What works for James Beattie PLC?
Beatties use Apprenticeships as an effective training tool to achieve high standards of staff competence. The training is tailored to cover the company’s needs. And Beatties’ managers, 90 of whom are trained assessors, work with the trainees daily to provide individual support.
Beatties find that Apprenticeships are an ideal way to train young people new to retail. ‘As well as undertaking training and development general to the retail trade, apprentices also learn about Beatties’ methods and ethos, which helps them fit more quickly into the company.
Apprenticeships enable us to build a pool of trained young people committed to Beatties and able to deliver the customer service and selling skills our customers want,’ explains Sue Aston.
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“At a time when there is a perceived "brain drain," Apprenticeships are invaluable in supporting the work of the manufacturing industry.”
Geoff Matthews HONDA UK