ASSISTANT manager Michelle Cornish from Dorchester is enjoying a flourishing career, thanks to her retail apprenticeship with Paragon Skills for Industry.

Michelle, 22, recently completed her Retail Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship while working at Weymouth's Animal Store.

Michelle began a Retail Level 2 Apprenticeship three years ago while working as a sales assistant at the Animal Store in Yeovil.

By the time she had completed her training, Michelle was promoted to assistant manager.

Keen to continue to progress her career, Michelle then began her Retail Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship which she has just completed.

Michelle said: "The beauty of the apprenticeship programme is that you learn the theoretical side of the business with Paragon Skills and then put it into practice within the store.

"The apprenticeship programme has done wonders for me and definitely contributed towards my promotion. Paragon Skills has been really supportive every step of the way."

Kevin Passmore, who is retail assessor at Animal, has been following Michelle's progress. He said her success was well deserved.

"Michelle passed all her assessments and received a distinction in her Retail Technical Certificate.

"She has been an outstanding learner and her hard work and dedication has led her to receive her well deserved promotion."

As apprenticeships have been designed by employers to meet the needs of the industry, they have been developed to help create the managers of the future.

Paragon Skills has more than 1,300 apprentices on training programmes and is one of the largest training providers in the south of England with access to Government funding and subsidies for training.

Further information about retail apprenticeships and funding opportunities can be found at www.paragonskills.co.uk or by calling 0800 783 2545.