A kick start to your career

Karisha Pope-Taylor, from Beaumont Leys, is just one teenager who has already started an apprenticeship thanks to the apprenticeship challenge.

She has begun working as an assistant at childrenswear company Jellyrolls, in High Street, Leicester, and hopes it could lead to a career in the fashion world.

Karisha will be working there five days a week while completing a Retail Apprenticeship through Leicester College.

She said: “It’s great for me because I’ve always enjoyed the hands-on side of learning and I know this is an area I’m interested in taking to another level.

“I’m supported by the college and I have coursework but, other than that, I’m working five days a week and enjoying the experience it’s giving me.”

Jellyrolls manager Jodi Butler said: “It’s great for us because we know Karisha’s enthusiastic and it’s a career that interests her so she will give it her all. It’s not just a job to Karisha so this apprenticeship is a great way for us to train top quality staff.”

In just over five weeks, 1,382 apprentices and 57 employers have come forward as part of the challenge.

Apprenticeships can cover a range of employment, from the hospitality industry and health and social care to engineering, hairdressing, and, of course, retail.

The Retail Skills Centre at Leicester College has been awarded membership to the newly-launched National Skills Academy for Retail, to ensure strong links with retail businesses locally and nationally are forged, and keep learning opportunities in touch with the ever-changing nature of the industry.

Retail covers a multitude of skills including how to manage a shop, advising customers, arranging displays, marketing and sales experience.

Wendy Lomas, retail manager for Leicester College, said: “Good organisation is important in this sector. Many roles involve interacting with the public so communication and people skills are important.

“As part of the academy for retail, we offer a range of training, including apprenticeship programmes for retail, warehousing and storage.”