Bluewater, Europe’s leading retail and leisure destination, will be supporting National Apprenticeship Week, February 7 to 11, with a series of activities to highlight the importance of apprenticeships to both businesses and individuals.

Bluewater’s Retail Manager, James Waugh, and Kent County Council Deputy Cabinet Member, Avtar Sandhu, kick things off taking part in a merchandising task and photocall.

Assisting the ‘apprentices’ will be real-life Apprentice, Melissa Cohen, one of the stars of Alan Sugar’s famous BBC One series.

In addition to the activities that mark the launch of National Apprenticeship Week, Bluewater is creating an apprenticeship hub in the lower Rose Gallery, and will also be hosting Kent County Council’s apprenticeship roadshow outside Marks & Spencer.

Both the hub and roadshow will be at Bluewater throughout the week.

Bluewater’s support of National Apprenticeship Week follows the launch in 2009 of the Bluewater Apprenticeship Scheme, a unique initiative developed by Bluewater and The Learning Shop that gives high-flying 16 to 24 year olds the skills and experience vital to a career in retail.

Last year, The Learning Shop found employment for 2,600 job-seekers, trained over 1,000 retail staff, and awarded over 800 formal qualifications.

Andrew Parkinson, Bluewater’s General Manager, said: “We believe apprenticeships are a great way for people to begin a career in this industry. Apprenticeships are also invaluable to employers, creating confident, motivated and skilled individuals with a good balance of practical experience and formal qualifications.

“We would strongly recommend businesses support National Apprenticeship Week, and that people looking to build a career and gain professional qualifications visit our apprenticeship hub and roadshow to find out how they can take the first steps.”

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Community Services, Mike Hill, added: “Apprenticeships can make a real difference to businesses and individuals. By training young career minded people, local employers can build their workforce, hear fresh, new ideas and play their part in developing Kent’s economy by passing on the knowledge that has helped make them a success.

“There currently are 3,500 people working across the county who we have helped into apprenticeships, and around 90 are working within Kent County Council. We want to encourage other employers to discover the real benefits of working with apprentices.”

Bluewater Apprenticeship Scheme case studies

Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Patch is actively involved in The Bluewater Apprenticeship Scheme and is providing a placement for Bluewater Apprentice, Vicky Collingwood, 17.

Vicky is completing a Level 2 qualification in Retail Knowledge and Retail Skills.

In addition to hosting the visual merchanding photocall on February 2, Pumpkin Patch Manager, Gary Farley, will be exchanging places with Vicky to work on the shop floor and operate the tills.

Vicky, meanwhile, will be taking over managerial duties for the day, including setting sale targets and supervising employee training.

Pumpkin Patch Director of UK Operations, Pamela March, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the Bluewater Apprenticeship Scheme. Pumpkin Patch believes in giving people opportunities to grow and develop, so we are really behind the scheme.

“Our apprentice, Vicky, has made tremendous progress and we are hoping to be able to offer her a permanent position with us when she has completed her course. This opportunity has given her a bright future and has also reaped benefits for our business. We are very proud to be a part of it.”

Austin Reed

Another Bluewater retailer to have benefitted from a retail apprenticeship through The Learning Shop is Austin Reed, the store recently employing Alex Wylde, 20.

Alex completed The Learning Shop’s pre-employment course, which aims to deliver essential knowledge and skills in the retail sector. The course also helps to build confidence and interview techniques when applying for roles.

Alex was unemployed for eight months before approaching The Learning Shop about retail training.

Austin Reed Assistant Store Manager, Chris Wright, said: “We feel it is important to give young people a chance to succeed, and apprenticeships are the ideal way to do this. Employing an apprentice means they can gain valuable work experience whilst also completing a qualification.

“As an Austin Reed apprentice, Alex is growing in confidence all the time and being trained to our brands own high standards. We are really pleased to have been able to offer him this opportunity, especially as he was previously unemployed. It just goes to show that there are good people out there that need to be given a chance.”