News
Fashion Retail delegates attend international Buying event in Paris - 9th February 2012
The Learning Shop launched its first Fashion Retail Diploma in September in response to the growing demand for training in the ‘behind the scenes’ careers in retail. Such careers include Buying, Merchandising, Visual Merchandising and Styling, and the first cohort of Fashion Retail delegates have proven to have the flair and determination to succeed in the pursuit of these careers where jobs are highly sought after and very hard to come by!!!
In January, Fashion Retail delegates Rhiannon Bernard and Rebecca Bigg beat stiff competition to be selected to attend the Salon International de la Lingerie in Paris and experience first-hand what it’s like to be a Buyer for a fashion retail business.
Working with the owner of a new and exciting retail business which is coming soon to the local area, the delegates hit the ground running when they stepped off the Eurostar and straight into the lingerie buying event to watch catwalk shows, listen to trend-prediction seminars and carry out comparison shopping at the best lingerie stores in the city. With barely enough time to take in the Eiffel Tower, promenade down the Champs Elysee and eye the Arc de Triomphe Rhiannon and Becky managed a whistle-stop tour of the city whilst liaising with major brands and compiling a report of their findings for the client.
Back at The Learning Shop the delegates are putting into practice what they learnt in Paris as they work on their Buying projects with a real insight into how the industry works!
Mr Simms Sweet Shop - 9th February 2012
In November 2010 The Learning Shop delivered a pre-employment course to unemployed parents of children in the Manor Community Primary School in Swanscombe. The course is the nationally recognised and successful programme ‘Retail Works’ which introduces delegates to the retail and working environments. On completion The Learning Shop worked closely with the delegates to help them gain employment.
One of the most motivated and engaged learners that we have had the pleasure of helping was Rickie Strevens from Swanscombe. She secured a permanent job at ‘Mr Simms Sweet Shop’ in Bluewater where the hours fitted perfectly around her children’s school times. Rickie’s self motivation and desire to do well was rewarded in January 2012 when she was promoted to manager of the Bluewater branch of Mr Simms. The ongoing positive relationship The Learning Shop and Rickie have had meant that when Mr Simms were looking for new staff we were asked if we could help. After consultation Mr Simms decided they would like to employ retail apprentices in their store and completed the recruitment process in February 2012. Rickie posted on our Facebook page ‘It is fantastic to work with The Learning Shop again, thank you for all your help. X’
The Learning Shop has a deep commitment in developing local jobs for local people and this has been a fantastic example of where it can work well. Not only have we helped someone that was unemployed find employment that they have been successful in, but the ongoing relationship has progressed to help two more young people begin a career in the retail industry starting with an apprenticeship which will result in two qualifications and at least a year of on the job paid experience.
Thank you Rickie and Mr Simms Sweet Shop.
Bluewater Annual Community Day - 9th February 2012
Bluewater Shopping centre in Kent held one of their annual Community Day’s on Thursday 19th January in partnership with Bluewater’s exclusive recruitment and training hub The Learning Shop.
Lend Lease’s Management team and the Learning Shop’s Business & Training Advisors were located on a stand in the lower Guild Hall. Staff spoke to local people of all ages and gave free impartial advice on: creating that perfect CV, top tips when searching for employment and key things to remember when preparing for an interview.
All those who wanted more in-depth discussion regarding these subjects were invited to The Learning Shop to have a one on one appointment with an advisor.
The Learning Shop’s Business & Training Advisor Ben Nihat said “The day was a great success and we look forward to doing it again next year. We are a one stop shop for advice and support, local people come to us for guidance all year”.
For more details on job searching, CV writing and interview techniques call 01322 624455.
'Start Your Future' in 2012 - 21st December 2011
Last month the Government announced that they will be focusing more on youth unemployment in the UK, NEET's - any young person aged between 16 -18 years and not in any type of Education, Employment or Training. Statistics show that 15.6% of 16 -18 year olds are classed as a NEET that is now in excess of 1 million which is at an all time record high.
The Learning Shop, Bluewater has already been working in partnership with Connexions and The Princes Trust, to deliver industry recognised training designed to arm delegates with the necessary skills to find sustainable employment. Over the last 12 months, The Learning Shop has trained over 150 young people, who would have otherwise been NEET, with over 80% progressing into employment.
In January 2012, The Learning Shop will be delivering a three week program designed for NEETS, the course will teach young people the importance of confidence, Customer Service, your CV, interview techniques and employability.
If you are a young person who is aged between 16 and 18 and is not in education, employment or training who would like to take part, register you're interested at http://bluewater.e-cruitnow.com. The application process opens on 23rd December.
The Xfactor at Bluewater with Pizza Hut Apprentices - 8th December 2011
The Learning Shop, Bluewater has been the hub for training and recruitment in Bluewater for the last 12 years. The Learning Shop prides itself on delivering World class training and recruitment to the retailers of Bluewater and surrounding areas. We have excellent rapport with many employers; all staff from The Learning Shop has a customer service or retail background. Having knowledge and experience of the shop floor environment provides a great platform when talking to employers about their needs.
The Bluewater Apprenticeship Scheme is the latest in a series of initiatives developed by Bluewater and The Learning Shop, which is a unique partnership between Lend Lease, North West Kent College and Jobcentre Plus. In the last ten years, Bluewater has created over 26,000 jobs, and more than 12,000 people have received formal training from The Learning Shop, with over 10,000 qualifications awarded. Around 40% of the people employed by Bluewater fall within the 16 to 24 year old age range. This equates to nearly 9,000 people. This is a milestone initiative for Bluewater, The Learning Shop and the local community.
Pizza Hut in Bluewater has embraced the Apprenticeship Scheme and is looking for two new Team Members one front of house and one for the kitchen. The unique twist on this is the recruitment, one is an Xfactor event held at Bluewater for the front of house team member and the other is a master chef event held at North West Kent College Gravesend.
Today the assessment for the Pizza Hut Front of House Apprenticeship took place in The Learning Shop Bluewater.
Dan Martinez the Restaurant General Manager along with Kelly Lordan, RGM in Training and Denise Marsh, Business & Training Advisor put the applicants through a series of activities. The day focused on team building, customer service skills and bringing the Xtra sparkle to the restaurant.
Dan Martinez Restaurant General Manager of Pizza Hut Bluewater said "Pizza Hut and Bluewater Shopping Centre have proudly and successfully gone hand in hand for over 12 years now. The Bluewater Apprenticeship has been a fantastic opportunity for both to come together once more, to get young members of the community into work, whilst also offering a qualification that will last forever. The interest has been fantastic and we cannot wait to see the successful apprentices in action over the coming months"
Children in Need 2011 - 8th December 2011
The Learning Shop, Bluewater staff this year did their turn for Children in Need. The Business & Training Advisors gave one day of their time to retailers in return for a donation.
Ben Nihat offered his services to Austin Reed where he sorted out the stock room, replenished the shop floor and created a magical Christmas window display which is still in place and he is sure it has increased the footfall within the store! Ben raised £30.00.
Denise Marsh donated her day to Pizza Hut, Bluewater. Denise dressed up as a Tomato, she greeted and seated customers and served tables. Denise raised £30.00 in tips.
Steve Leaver was in International Children’s clothing store Pumpkin Patch where he worked on the shop floor and in the stock room. The store Manager raised £20.00 for charity.
Altogether with other donations The Learning Shop raised £125.00 for this good cause.
Thank you to all the retailers who supported us in this charity event.
Catwalk to Cover to Christmas Shopping - 7th December 2011
The Learning Shop launched the first Diploma in Fashion Retail at Bluewater earlier this year in September with a cohort of 19 delegates.
Having already designed a set of fashion retail based Christmas cards for The Learning Shop, as well as installing window displays in live shop windows ranging from charity shops to sustainability Christmas Fayres to haute couture wedding gowns, the Fashion Retail delegates are about to embark on a Personal Shopping and Styling project taking inspiration from the high fashion catwalk looks to create affordable high street based outfits.
As part of their research, the delegates visited the Catwalk to Cover exhibition at London’s Fashion & Textiles Museum. The exhibition tracks the work of cutting edge fashion designers and captures the drama and excitement of catwalk shows from London to Paris and New York.
Following the exhibition, the delegates embarked on a whistle stop tour of the best Christmas window displays in London, including Harrods, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany's, critiquing the visual merchandising principles and aesthetic of the displays – as well as squeezing in a bit of Christmas shopping!
How Many Muskrats...?! - 6th December 2011
The Diploma in Fashion Retail, which launched at The Learning Shop, Bluewater earlier this year, gives delegates the opportunity to work on live projects and build a portfolio of Visual Merchandising work.
Six lucky delegates were selected to design and install a set of three window displays at SusCon; the Academy of Sustainable Construction, on the theme of sustainability and, at the client’s request, the more specific topic of animal extinction. The windows were to advertise SusCon’s first ever retail offer; the SusCon Christmas Fayre, in partnership with The Learning Shop.
Fashion Retail delegates Rebecca Bigg and Danielle DeSouza took their inspiration from the architecture of the building, and chose to use honest materials such as exposed cardboard to mirror the exposed timber of the building. The cardboard was reused from the waste generated by retailers, and fashioned into the form of two beautiful reindeer which sat on snowy mountains surrounded by giant suspended snowflake forms.
Romy Bullen and Zoe Harrington also reused retailer by-products and melted plastic bags to form a new fabric from which they created a bold, full scale, 3-dimensional Christmas tree which greeted customers in their way into the building. From the tree origami animals were suspended, highlighting the decontextualisation of animals from their natural habitats.
The third window display was created by Vicky Collingwood and Kathryn Twitchett. They created a dramatic dress inspired by the current trend of mullet dresses. The dress appeared to almost have a tail and the prints of zebras, leopards, and snakes to name but a few were created using old newspapers on coloured paper. The delegates researched how many animals are killed to make just one item of clothing. For a fur coat, the animals used amount to 42 red foxes, 18 lynx, 50 muskrats...
The windows will be on display until 3rd January, 2012.
Merry Christmas Everyone! - 5th December 2011
The Learning Shop launched its first Diploma in Fashion Retail at Bluewater earlier this year in September with a cohort of 19 delegates.
Plunging them straight in at the deep end, the delegates’ first task was to design a set of three window displays to be photographed as The Learning Shop’s official Christmas cards for 2011. Working in teams the delegates soon got to know each other and learn how to work to the team’s strengths.
The outcomes have been fantastic, and delegates have thought both commercially and creatively about their themes to create exciting and appropriate cards for The Learning Shop to send out to its partners.
The teams, named after British fashion designers, were formed of the following delegates:
Team Westwood; a bold colourful display inspired by a retro theme and the colours of The Learning Shop: Romy Bullen, Kerry Asplet, Vicky Collingwood, Molly Keating, Abby Cahill, Ellie O’Rourke
Team Hindmarsh; a fairytale inspired theme, focusing on the rags to riches journey the right training and education can lead to: Joe Luis Wallis-Ralph, Farhad Diba, Kathryn Twitchett, Yasmin Monteith, Vikki Cowell, Fay Radcliffe, Rebecca Bigg
Team McQueen, a festive display substituting a Christmas tree for a tree of knowledge: Amelia Dawson, Danielle DeSouza, Terri Martin, Julia Johnson, Zoe Harrington, Rhiannon Bernard
Look forward to receiving your Christmas card soon...!!
A VIP preview! - 30th November 2011
Today was an exciting one, the Learning Shop team was treated to a VIP event and a sneak preview of the amazing new Glow, Bluewater events venue.
Spirit of Christmas is the first show a boutique, stylish shopping event.
Visitors can choose from a wonderful selection of hand-picked gifts that you won’t find on the high street. Or take inspiration from the latest festive trends workshops – and make your own creation. Then finish off a hard day’s shopping with a luxury high tea.
The Learning Shop has worked with the Glow, Bluewater team to train new staff working on the launch and opening event and are very proud of the team!
Andrea Lee Business & Training Advisor at The Learning Shop said "We have an indepth knowledge of the industry and centre and can provide the centre management team, exhibitors and employers with the right programme to train their staff. The first five new staff has been an asset of which we are all proud".
To book tickets or find out more visit www.glowbluewater.co.uk.
Further information from Andrea Lee on 01322 624455.
A Family Christmas at Home - 16th November 2011
As Christmas fast approaches the retail sector is preparing for its busiest time of the year. The Christmas window displays are a fundamental part of both celebrating and advertising Christmas themes and products.
This year The Learning Shop’s Fashion Retail delegates have put their creativity to good use to design three window displays in partnership with local charity the EllenorLions Hospices. The chosen theme; 'A Family Christmas at Home' is inspired by the good work the charity do in our community.
The delegates were split into three teams and given a budget of £20 per window installation to create and develop their ideas. Mood boards, scale drawings and installation plans have been created by each team to communicate their designs.
Rhiannon Bernard, Kerry Asplet and Abby Cahill will be installing their ‘Christmas Bedroom’ window, which showcases the beautiful designer clothing available at Ellenor Bexleyheath store, on Wednesday 16th November. Farhad Diba, Ellie O’Rourke, Terri Martin and Yasmin Monteith will be installing their idea ‘Christmas Living Room’ at the Dartford store on 17th November, the same day Molly Keating, Amelia Dawson and Julia Johnson will be installing their 'Christmas Dinner Table' window at the Crayford store.
The Fashion Retail delegates hope to increase footfall and sales at the stores to make more money for charity this Christmas.
Donate a day for Children in Need 2011!!! - 14th November 2011
The Learning Shop, Bluewater has been the hub for training and recruitment in Bluewater for the last 12 years and prides itself on delivering World class training and recruitment to the retailers of Bluewater and surrounding areas. We have excellent rapport with many employers with all the staff from The Learning Shop having a customer service or retail background. With knowledge and experience of the shop floor environment it provides a great platform when talking to employers about their needs.
It’s that time of year again when we all start to think to about raising money?
Donate a day!! In a nutshell the staff of The Learning Shop donate a working day to an employer giving them support with any activities they need - from greeting customers to cleaning their store.
Tracy Anne Lane Commercial Services Manager of The Learning Shop said "We understand how hard it is for some employers leading up to the Christmas period. That's why the staff at The Learning Shop, in aid of Children in Need 2011, are giving one day of their time to work in a store for a minimum donation of £25.00. All staff have previous experience and would be able to work up to 8 hours."
Employers already on board:-
The Learning Shop’s Business & Training Advisor Denise Marsh will be donating her day to Pizza Hut, Bluewater. Denise will dress up as a Pizza slice and she will greet and seat customers. Denise will also donate any tips to the charity. Pizza Hut will also have other activities planned in the restaurant to raise money.
International Children’s clothing store Pumpkin Patch have pledge a placement for another Business & Training Advisor Steve Leaver to run the store for a day.
Get into Retail at The Learning Shop - 26th October 2011
This September, The Learning Shop Bluewater working in partnership with The Princes Trust delivered the “Get into" course to young people in the local area.
‘Get Into Retail' was designed to help young people gain the skills and confidence they need to get a job.
The three week course consisted of one week theory based learning and a nine day work placement with a retailer in Bluewater. While on the course delegates completed "Retail Works" a nationally recognised pre-employment course which includes Customer Service, Interview techniques and CV writing.
This course has been such a success with over 50% of delegates being offered jobs before the course finished.
We would like to Thank Evans, House of Fraser, Miss Selfridges, Mothercare, Marks & Spencer's Pumpkin Patch, Schuh and Starbucks for there support.
Government supports Sector Based Work Academies - 26th October 2011
The Government has launched the next part of its strategy to combat unemployment with the launch of sector-based work academies across England. The new academies will offer a combination of training, work experience and a guaranteed job interview to up to 50,000 people over the next two years.
Sector-based work academies will operate in industries based on local labour market demand, including construction, contact centres, hospitality, logistics, and retail. In the wider economy there are currently over 90,000 vacancies in retail, over 44,000 in hospitality and 11,000 vacancies in construction.
The Learning Shop, based in Bluewater Kent has already had great success with Sector - based work academies. They have delivered training to over 79 delegates and have arranged interviews with Café Nero, John Lewis, Jamie's Italian and Pizza Hut with 43 delegates now employed in the retail/hospitality sector. Advisors at the Learning Shop are still supporting individuals who have not yet found work by supporting them with CV writing, interview techniques and job searching to help them gain employment.
Ben Gay, the lead Lecturer for Employability at The Learning Shop, said ‘Local people have good skills, sometimes confidence and motivation holds them back, working with them we can help train and guide them into employment. Securing a job at Bluewater is a great achievement of which they should be proud. The employers we work with have been a great support, we assist them in finding the right person for the job and up skill to the required level'.
National Customer Service week 2011 - 3rd October 2011
National Customer Service Week is a brilliant opportunity to raise awareness of customer service and the crucial role it plays in successful business and the growth of the UK economy. Over 3 million people are employed in the retail sector making it the largest private employer in the UK. In the past few months the retail sector has taken a weighty blow, with the Christmas season is swiftly approaching the time for shouting aloud the importance of good customer service is nigh.
The Learning Shop, Bluewater are proud to be supporting this campaign and urged others to do so.
Tracy – Anne Lane Commercial Manager at the Learning shop told us "We are delighted to be supporting National Customer Service Week 2011, every week is Customer Service Week at The Learning Shop, it is essential to our business and the business for all employers and delegates that we work with. Customer Service is crucial in building positive reputations and increasing customer loyalty. Our team work hard and strive to meet and exceed customer's expectations."
To assist employers we have four main programmes to help them promote World Class Customer Service, including bespoke WCCS, Principles of Customer Service, Intermediate and Advanced Customer Service Apprenticeships and Work Place Learning Customer Service qualifications. Programme delegates are able to demonstrate effective improvements in service resulting in marked improvements in business opportunities.
We are supporting National Customer Service week are you???
Top photo: The current Hospitality delegates, supporting National Customer Service Week.
Bottom photo: Front row left to right are; Andrea Lee, Hannah Dines, Carol Cane and Laura Lewis
House of Fraser Bluewater pledge 3 Apprenticeship vacancies - 26th September 2011
North West Kent College's 112 apprenticeships by 2012 campaign has been a phenomenal success with 113 pledges in just 11 weeks. North West Kent College are over whelmed by the commitment and support by local employers. The campaign has been so successful that this great opportunity has not gone unnoticed by the larger employers. House of Fraser; have pledged 3 Apprenticeship vacancies at their Bluewater flagship store.
A spokesman for House of Fraser said “House of Fraser Bluewater is excited to be a part of the apprenticeship scheme, supporting individuals on their retail journey. Apprenticeships are a valuable and positive way we can contribute to the local community.
If you want to be one of those Apprentices? Apply by visiting http://bluewater.e-cruitnow.com/
The Rising Star Awards - 14th September 2011
The Rising Star Awards were held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London's Park Lane with guest speaker was Theo Paphitis who referred to his own beginnings in retail and 'learning on the job'. The entertainment was provided by award winning comedian Russell Kane - who also began life in retail!
There were 17 awards categories in total, including Store Manager of the Year, Area Manager of the Year, Head Office Support Team of the Year, Apprentice of the Year and the category in which Janette Susans was a finalist: Learner of the Year. As well as The Learning Shop, there were finalists from TopShop/TopMan, Sainsbury's, Karen Millen, Debenhams and the Disney Shop to name but a few.
Former Learning Shop delegate awarded Partner of the Month - 19th August 2011
The Learning Shop's former delegate Julie Taylor has been awarded John Lewis's Partner of the Month for April. This award is to thank the Partners for their continuing commitment to their team and store. Julie was nominated for the award by her colleagues who described her as having "True Partner Spirit."
Julie joined John Lewis in September 2009 after completing Retail Works; a pre employment program created by industry experts to train anyone who has little or no experience in the Retail sector. After completing the program Julie then secured a two week placement within John Lewis and went on to be offered a permanent position.
The Learning Shop is working with local employers and local people, to upskill them in preparation them for the Christmas vacancies and new vacancies for the Events Venue. If you are an employer and are interested in training please contact us.
Get Into Retail.... - 17th August 2011
Unemployed, would you like to gain experience and skills in Retail?
Harj Sangha Programme Executive for The Prince's Trust is delighted to be working in partnership with The Learning Shop to deliver The Prince's Trust Get in to Retail programme at Bluewater.
If you are aged between 16 and 25, not in work, education or training, you could spend 3 weeks gaining training and certification to help you get a foot in the industry. During the 3 weeks you will:
- Gain essential training and complete a nationally recognised pre-employment programme
- Develop practical skills and valuable work experience
- Meet new people and have a great time
- Receive follow up support and the chance to access other courses to gain more qualifications
It's completely free we can even pay for your transport!
Get Into Retail will take place at The Learning Shop in Bluewater in late September 2011
Closing date for Referrals: 8th September 2011
So call Harj Sangha now on 07795 166355 or email:Harj.Sangha@princes-trust.org.uk.
For the course referral form click here.
News Flash: For Providers of Leadership & Management Training in the South - 17th August 2011
Owner/Managers, MDs or Senior Managers reporting to them in organisations with 10+ staff can now apply for support and funding.
All aspects of Leadership and Management training can now be supported, why not contact the address below today for more information.
Visit us at www.skillssoutheast.co.uk
HOT NEWS!!! Jamie's Italian coming to Bluewater!
Celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver, is opening a Jamie's Italian restaurant in Bluewater's New Events Venue
Management vacancies are now available, simply apply by visiting http://bluewater.e-cruitnow.com
Congratulations Bluewater's Year 2 Apprentices! - 2nd August 2011
Bluewater's year 2 Apprentices Fiona Graves, Jake Modica, Jordon Kuyper, Kelly McGuinness, Rikesh Mistry and Vicky Collingwood successfully completed their year Apprenticeships on 15th July 2011.
Bluewater's General Manager Andrew Parkinson and Ann Komcolik, Managing Director of North - West Kent Colleges Business Services, presented them with their awards and certificates at a ceremony held at The Learning Shop, Bluewater.
The Learning Shop would like to congratulate all the Apprentices and wish them all the best for the future.
We would also like to give a big thank you to John Lewis Partnership, Pumpkin Patch, Next, UniQlo, Barnardo's and Cancer Research UK for all the support they over the last 12 months.
Hot News … Go Live Day!! - 2nd August 2011
From Monday 15th August, ALL Bluewater vacancies will only be available through the Bluewater website.
Visit us at www.bluewater.co.uk/content/co_rec
The Learning Shop attends Suscon's opening! - 13th July 2011
The Learning shop, will be attending SusCon's grand opening of their new sustainable construction training centre on Friday 15th July, 2pm - 4pm. Suscon will be open from 10am, drop in to find out more. The Learning shop, will be there with a stand with information about Apprenticeship and other training courses.
Come and see us!
SusCon, Brunel Way, Dartford, Kent, DA1 5FW
Congratulation to Janette Susans!!! - 13th July 2011
The Learning Shop's former delegate Jeanette Susans accepted her award for Retail at last night's Kent County Council's awards ceremony held at Community College Whitstable.
Jeanette has also been nominated for The National Skills Academy's Rising Star award “Retail Learner of the Year".
The awards ceremony will be held in London in September.
Good Luck Janette!!!
Is 2011 the year for The Learning Shop - 20th June 2011
What a year for nominations and Awards the Learning Shop is having! So far this year we are proud to have won the ICSC Foundation European Community Support Award held in Istanbul. The Hi5 award for Innovation, held at Westminster Kingsway College London and the BCSC Purple Apple Marketing Awards for Community Relations.
We have also had two Bluewater Apprentices nominated for Kent County Councils Celebration of Learning awards, Apprentice of the year and four nominations for the prestigious Rising Star Awards.
Well done to all involved!
The Learning Shop launches it's first ever Diploma in Fashion Retail - 14th June 2011
Love Fashion?! Then why not study for the Diploma in fashion retail at Bluewater; the UK's premier fashion retail destination!
Are you a fashion retail enthusiast who has a flair and determination to succeed in the industry? Then this is the course for you.
What does the course involve?
Working on live projects and national VM competitions; using international retail software to create professional planograms; visiting diverse fashion retail destinations; liaising with flagship store managers and business owners in fashion retail.
A year long course from September to January, combining 3 days of study with 2 days working in a fashion retail environment.
How do I find out more or apply?
Contact The Learning Shop and speak to one of our Business and Training Advisors
t: 01322 624455 e: learningshop@nwkcollege.ac.uk w: www.learningshopbluewater.co.uk
The Learning Shop wins Purple Apple Marketing Award - 19th May 2011
The British Council of Shopping Centres has awarded The Learning Shop, the Purple Apple for Community Relations. The BCSC Purple Apple Marketing Awards are the only awards which recognise and reward effective shopping centre marketing within the UK shopping centre sector. These awards showcase new industry standards of innovation, delivery and performance, taking shopping centre marketing to the next level.
The BSCS kindly commented on our award "An excellent and professional set up demonstrating strong results over a number of years and this initiative is clearly supported by the PR opportunities generated through the centre and that the retailers also buy-in to the scheme. Great scheme supporting careers within the Retail Industry and a great achievement of securing 26,000 jobs in the local area. Delivers solid PR coverage."
Kent's answer to Training & Recruitment - 19th May 2011
Announcements by the coalition government, that further education funding has been slashed, has created a knock on effect for anyone looking to gain or improve on current skills and qualifications. They now have to fund their own further development.
In March 2009 The Learning Shop was re launched as a founding Skill Shop with the National Skills Academy for Retail. This was the beginning of a progressive vision to create a new type of skills shop, since being appointed as Commercial Manager back in October 2008, Tracy – Anne Lane has established her own dynamic and knowledgeable team and has took the training & recruitment world by storm.
We managed to get an in depth interview with Tracy-Anne to take a closer look at Kent's most energetic and accomplished one stop shop for training and recruitment.
First Tracy – Anne I would like to congratulate you and your team, win at ICSC Foundation European Awards 2011 and The Hi5 2011 Innovation Award
Thank you, it is always an honor to be nominated but I am really proud of what The Learning Shop has achieved during its 12 year history. The past 2 years has been hard work for everyone involved but the results peak for themselves.
How would you describe The Learning Shop?
We deliver professional World Class training, development, recruitment and business solutions. We pride ourselves in consistently delivering unique programmes that result in measurable increased performance for staff at all stages of their careers. With an established recruitment brand, the Learning Shop is the provider of choice for local people to job search for retail, hospitality and customer service roles at Bluewater shopping centre. Over 4000 people visit us each month for advice and guidance with their career aspirations and to discuss available opportunities.
So a part of your pledge is to help support the local community back into work?
Yes, as we are located at Bluewater in Kent, we are the only centre of its kind in the North Kent region, in partnership with the owners and managers of Bluewater, Jobcentre Plus, North – West Kent College and Connexions. We have brokered over 22,000 jobs and 12,000 training solutions during the last eleven years has led to the Learning Shop becoming an integral part of employers business practise.
If you would like more details about The Learning Shop you can visit www.learningshopbluewater.co.uk; or call 01322 624455 or visit them in person at The Learning Shop, Bluewater, Kent.
