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Three Source learners have been shortlisted to the next stage of the Retail Week Rising Star Awards, recognising outstanding talent and initiative in retail.

The Skillsmart Retail Rising Stars Awards are designed to recognise the best talent in all areas of retail, from star apprentices, to top-notch HR Professionals and Store Managers, all demonstrating outstanding talent, aptitude and initiative in their roles - singling them out as the ones to watch.

April Bell, a Retail Apprentice at The Source, is one of four shortlisted candidates in the National Skills Academy for Retail's Apprentice of the Year category, which seeks to find the most inspiring Retail Apprentice in the UK.

April said: "I'm so excited to be shortlisted in the Rising Star Awards final. I am enjoying every day of my Apprenticeship and it really has turned my life around. My confidence has been the biggest change in me. I used to struggle to make friends and couldn't talk to people older than me as I felt they were looking down on me. Now I love talking to people and feel I have more in common to strike up conversations."

Laura Guest, HR Trainer at House of Fraser Sheffield, has been a learner with The Source since 2010. Laura is one of four shortlisted candidates in the HR/Training Professional of the Year category. This category looks for the individual that has managed or developed specific projects or initiatives which has led to the success of the business they work in.

Laura said: "It is a great honour to be through to the next round of the awards. I was thrilled to be nominated by The Source and it is a great achievement to get this far. I have worked hard to initiate new training methods to inspire my team and House of Fraser has always been a supportive employer. I can't wait for the final and am keeping my fingers crossed!"

Kris Waterson, Store Manager at Republic Manchester, has been working with The Source for several years. Kris has been shortlisted to the final five in the North of England Store Manager of the Year category, recognising the nominee who has contributed to the success of the store through specific projects or initiatives.

Kris said: "It has been really exciting to be shortlisted to the final five in the competition and the whole experience has been great. Republic is a great organisation to work for and I am a true example of someone who has worked my way up through the ranks to management."

Pat Wilce, Work Based Learning Manager at The Source said: "It is a wonderful achievement for three of our learners to be shortlisted to the final of the Retail Week Rising Star Awards. These awards showcase the best in the industry, so our learners haven beaten off stiff competition to make it to the final. Watch this space for the result!"

The finalists will have to wait until the ceremony on Thursday, 8th September to find out which of them will walk away with one of the 14 prestigious Rising Stars trophies.

This year's event will be attended by top names in retail, including Dragons' Den star and Chairman of Ryman, Theo Paphitis, who will present the awards to the winners.

Theo Paphitis said: "This is the fourth year I will have attended this awards ceremony to meet the up-and-coming retailers of the future and the high standard continues to impress me."