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Retail Modern Apprentice of the Year - Finalists announced

Wednesday 11 July 2012, 10:48AM

By Retail Institute

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Finalists for Retail Institute’s Retail Modern Apprentice of the Year 2012 competition have been announced. The competition, which aims to recognise the hard work retail apprentices put into developing a career in retail, has been a great success so far with a high calibre of nominations.Retail Institute is pleased to announce our finalists for the Retail Modern Apprentice of the Year 2012 as follows:

Upper North Island Finalists:
• Kirsty Barrow, Onehunga Jewellers, Auckland
• Christopher Divitt, Bakers Delight, Birkenhead, Auckland
• Natasha Humphries, Harvey Furnishings, Whangarei

Middle North Island Finalists:
• Michelle van Gelder, Rodd & Gunn, Napier
• Zara Curran, Topgear Surf & Streetwear, Morrinsville
• Erin Booth, The Dining Table, Hamilton

Lower North Island Finalists:
• Andrew Dick, Mitre 10 Mega, Petone
• Chloe McLeay, Harvey Furnishings, Wanganui
• Rangipai Kawau, Sports Edge, Wanganui

South Island Finalists:
• Shannon Bunn,  Abel Tasman Outdoors, Motueka
• Ariana Eady, Hallensteins Dressmart Christchurch
• Mathew Feron, Central Betta Electrical, Alexandra

The next stage for these finalists includes submitting a profile form and being mystery shopped by Market Pulse International. They will be looking for good customer service, communication skills and product knowledge. A judging panel will then select the winners, which will be announced at the regional TOP SHOP® Gala awards dinners, around the country.

RETAIL MODERN APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
The Retail Modern Apprentice of the Year competition recognises the hard work retail apprentices put into developing a career in retail, an industry which is often overlooked for its career opportunities.
This year Retail Institute received a record number of nominations. The competition is open to anyone who is completing a Retail Modern Apprenticeship. To enter, apprentices are nominated by their employer, themselves or anyone else who has recognised the contribution they are making in the business they work for.

Nominations are then reviewed and apprentices’ academic achievements are evaluated to narrow it down to regional finalists. Finalists are then mystery shopped by Market Pulse International. Once the mystery shopping results are received, a judging panel selects the regional winners and an overall winner. Regional winners are announced at the NZRA TOP SHOP® Awards held throughout New Zealand, and the overall winner announced at the Auckland awards.

The prizes:
Regional winners receive a pack containing an Apple iPod Shuffle, a 12 Month MiNDFOOD  magazine subscription, a Sodastream and the opportunity to complete the retail management qualification, the National Certificate in Retail (Level 4).

The overall winner will receive the new Apple iPad

THE RETAIL MODERN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME
The Retail Modern Apprenticeship programme is a government funded, work-based training programme for young people between the ages of 16 and 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 currently 163 retail apprentices in New Zealand.