Lee books a career

8:37am Wednesday 19th December 2007

Comments (0)   Have your say »

AN APPRENTICE is on the path to success at a Weymouth town centre shop as he combines working and learning.

Lee Smith, 17, a sales assistant at WH Smith in Weymouth, has started a retail apprenticeship with training provider Paragon after kick-starting his vocational training with its entry to employment programme.

A Government initiative to improve the skills of school leavers, entry to employment was the step between school and training for former Wey Valley pupil Lee.

It allowed Lee to improve his skills in IT and maths, as well as CV writing and interview techniques, while tutors helped him to gain a work placement at WH Smith.

Lee said: "I didn't know what I wanted to do when I left school so I decided to enrol on the entry to employment programme to help me find a career direction and get the skills I needed to go on to further training.

"It was really useful to be able to refresh my IT skills and we also did different projects to find out about different areas of work such as visiting a magistrate's court.

"Carolyn, the placement officer at Paragon, helped me to decide what career path to follow.

"I'd already done some work experience at WH Smith at school, which I enjoyed, so I decided to aim to start a retail apprenticeship. I then got a placement working for two days a week on the delivery and stock department, with Carolyn providing support and reviewing my progress."

When a full-time vacancy arose, Lee applied and was offered the position of sales assistant.

He is now working towards an apprenticeship, which includes an NVQ Level 2 in retail operations assessed in the workplace.

Lee said: "I'm really enjoying the apprenticeship and so far have started to put together a portfolio of my work and have been assessed on my customer service skills.

"I feel that I'm getting a wider perspective of what retail is all about by doing my qualification and can later go on to my advanced apprenticeship which will help me to work my way up."

Assistant manager at WH Smith Josh Strickland is pleased with Lee's achievements so far.

He said: "Since Lee started his placement, we've seen his confidence grow and grow.

"The placement gave him a broad understanding of the business and the skills he gained through the entry to employment programme meant he could take the next step to the apprenticeship.

"The apprenticeship scheme is very beneficial to us as an employer as it helps to develop the individual's knowledge and ability, while driving their desire to learn.

"Work-based learning is great for the company as it means we attract staff who will be committed, which can be difficult in retail. We can now work with Lee to develop his skills and help him to progress at WH Smith."

The entry to employment programme is for young people aged between 16 and 18 who are not in education, employment or training.

It gives them the chance to develop key skills and confidence and gain access to apprenticeships and employment.

The apprenticeship programme is funded and supported by the Learning and Skills Council and has been carefully designed by employers for employers.

Young people get the chance to build practical skills and gain nationally recognised qualifications while working, and employers gain a young person who can make a real contribution to their business.

Paragon Skills for Industry is based in Weymouth in Dorset and has offices and training centres covering Dorset, Somerset and Hampshire. The company provides training opportunities for more than 1,000 young people throughout the South West. For information about entry to employment and apprenticeships, contact Paragon on freephone 0800 783 2545 or visit www.paragonskills.co.uk