Paragon skills for industry

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Ten budding young school students are reaping the benefits of their retail young apprenticeship programme with John Lewis Southampton, supported by regional Training Provider, Paragon Skills for Industry.

Christopher Doney (City of Portsmouth Boys School), Laura Gates, Gemma Halsey, Laura Hanham, Krista Bukata (City of Portsmouth Girls School), Harvey Newell (Hamble Community Sports College), Tilly Peters, Katie Davis, Jade Gale and Sarah White (Wyvern Technology College, Southampton), are all on a fifty day placement working towards their retail young apprenticeship with Paragon Skills for Industry.

The retail young apprenticeship programme enables students to combine school with practical training and experience in the retail sector. It is an exciting opportunity for hard-working and talented 14-16 year olds, allowing them to take part in a fast track retail apprenticeship. The ten students are scheduled to complete their qualification by July 2010.

Christopher Doney, one of the retail young apprentices from City of Portsmouth Boys School said: I am really enjoying the programme so far. I think it is really good to be able to do this option alongside my GCSEs as I am interested in a retail career after I leave school. I hope this will give me a head start.”

Vicci Stockbridge, Learning & Development Coach for John Lewis Southampton said: “I am delighted at the enthusiasm and commitment the young students have shown whilst they have been here. They are all working in various departments including Beauty, Womenswear, Large Electrical, Menswear and Linen’s. In conjunction with this, most are also taking advantage of our workshops which include subjects like Interview Skills, Marketing and Man Management. This will enable them to learn a variety of retail skills and gain qualifications at the same time. It is a real bonus that the Young Apprenticeship Programme is nationally recognised as it will help the students later in their chosen careers.”

Kim Summers, Retail Tutor at Paragon Skills, commented: “We are very thrilled to be working with John Lewis. Each of the students has shown a high level of skill and motivation since joining the programme in September 2008. The skills they have learnt during their retail young apprenticeship will prove invaluable.”

The programme is equivalent to four GCSEs at grades A*-C and is an option that can be taken alongside the National Curriculum. It enables students to gain practical industry skills as well as obtaining their GCSEs at the same time. This will give them greater employability skills after they leave school or when they finish their studies.

For more information on the retail young apprenticeship programme please contact 0800 7832545, email enquries@pgon.co.uk or visit www.paragonskills.co.uk

Notes to Editors:
Paragon Education and Skills Limited provides Young Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships and National Vocational Qualifications to meet the needs of businesses across the south of England

The Group’s operations extend throughout the south west and south east of England. The majority of its activities are in the counties of Hampshire, Somerset and Dorset.

Paragon provides first class training and development opportunities for individuals, businesses and local communities. Currently it is working with approximately 3,000 young people, 50 schools, over 700 employers, 11 further education colleges,10 sector organisations and over forty partners