Retail Modern Apprentice of the Year Finalists Announced

The finalists for the 2010 Retail Modern Apprentice of the Year Awards have been announced:

Auckland/ Upper North Island:

• Zachary Bell – Placemakers – Mt Wellington
•
• Katie Coxon - John Franich Jewellers - Henderson
•
• Lisa-Marie Verhoeven - Electrical Products Online - Albany
•

Middle North Island:

• Amy Gibson – Placemakers - Hamilton
•
• Jessica Oliver – Hallensteins – Centreplace, Hamilton
•
• Aimie Rawlings - Mitre 10 Mega - Hamilton
•

Lower North Island:

• Melissa Bryan - Mitre 10 Mega – New Plymouth
•
• Kurt Simpson - Mitre 10 Mega - Wanganui
•
• Hamish Wood – Hallensteins – Upper Hutt
•

South Island:

• Michaela Harrington - J Ballantynes & Co -Timaru
•
• Callum Jones - Footlite & Sole - Westport
•
• Clare Lawson - J Ballantynes & Co - Timaru
•

This award recognises the Retail Modern Apprenticeship scheme and the hard work apprentices have put in to developing a career in retail. Regional winners will be announced at the New Zealand Retailers Association (NZRA) TOP SHOP® Retail Excellence Awards which are held throughout the country. The overall winner will be announced at the Waikato Top Shop Awards.

The Retail Modern Apprentice of the Year will receive an Outward Bound learning experience and the regional winners will receive a Samsung Camcorder.

The finalists will be mystery shopped by Market Pulse International to help determine the winners. They will be looking for good customer service, communication skills and product knowledge.

The Retail Modern Apprenticeship programme

The Retail Modern Apprenticeship programme is a government funded, work-based training programme for young people from the ages of 16 to 21. The programme aims to make it easier for employers to recruit and train talented young staff and train the next generation of retail professionals.

Retail Modern Apprentices are supported in their training by a coordinator who mentors and supports the apprentice through to completion of their qualification by providing support and advice.

There are 161 Retail Modern Apprentices in New Zealand.

-ENDS-