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Goodbye School, Hello Apprenticeship!
The exams are over and new chapter is about to start for a new recruitment of Apprentices. The Source welcomes youngsters enrolling onto Programme Led Apprenticeships. Tutoring the Apprentices will be Work Based Learning Assessors, Andrea Cavanagh and Jo Lodge.
To get an insight into our very own ‘Golden Girls' Andrea and Jo we've asked them a number of probing questions...
As a retail tutor you must have a background in retail. How did it all start?
Andrea - It started with a golden opportunity with a major retail store, Debenhams in Sheffield back in the good old 80's, working as a Customer Service Advisor and Credit Sales Manager. Another fantastic opportunity came along to move to House of Fraser in the role of Credit Sales Manager and then promotion to Recruitment & Training Coordinator, where I then commenced a dual role, deputising for Sales/ floor managers enabling me to build on my retail skills and effectively train store staff, enhance their skills on all aspects of retail.
Jo - Well, many moons ago!! I started out on a similar programme myself, a works experience for 6 months with C&A (probably most people reading this will not know who C&A were!!). I started out on the shop floor and after further development and training worked my way up to the position of regional auditor, unfortunately the company shut down in May 2001. I then worked at BHS for a couple of years as Admin Manager at White Rose Store, on leaving BHS. I went to work at NEXT, as Floor Manager on womenswear in Leeds City Centre and then at Meadowhall Store. Then Louis Walsh changed my life!!!!!!!!! I attended the Christmas light switch on and met an old colleague, Brenda England, who I worked with at C&A. She told me about her transition into work based learning and tutoring, so when an opportunity arose, I applied, and the rest they say is history!!
How will you pass on your experience to the students?
Andrea- I have a great passion for developing people and feel that I am an inspirational role model to give them the confidence and skills required to succeed within a retail environment.
I have a broad knowledge and experience of retail to share with students and will use my own experiences through the delivery of a diverse range of retail training within the areas of Visual Merchandising and Customer Service.
Jo - Through sharing experiences both positive and negative! Demonstrating merchandising in our mock shop, practising using our EPOS system, encouraging the apprentices to see retailing through the customer eyes, and that working in retail is not just standing in a shop looking pretty all day!!!
What are you most looking forward to working with the new recruits?
Andrea- Watching the growth and development of their knowledge & skills, enabling them to have the confidence to succeed and achieve a career in retail.
Jo - I love developing people, it was something I have always had a passion for, I really get a kick out of seeing people progress, and do things well and for themselves, I will give everything I can to help people learn and move on, giving them the confidence to achieve their goals and ambitions.
Going back to your post exam days... What career did you want to pursue?
Andrea- I love people! I knew that I wanted to work with a variety of people to help me develop and be confident in life's experiences. I knew that retail would be the career for me to achieve this goal.
Jo - I wanted to be an air hostess, cabin crew is the modern term for it I believe!! Just the same, serving customers but in the sky!
Who was your favourite teacher/tutor?
Andrea- Miss Drury, she was my art teacher, a very patient and calming person who said that art is the creativity and expression of oneself and that we are all unique in our own way.
Jo - A guy called Mr Chatburn, he was our maths teacher and was really inspirational, he helped me with my maths, and said that we all can go on to be want we want to be providing we put the effort and energy into it.
Did you ever cheat on your exams or homework?
Andrea- No, I would not deny myself the chance of learning, I wanted to improve and succeed in many of my chosen subjects.
Jo - No, I would never do such a thing!! Mind you, my dad always" helped" me with my homework!!
And finally the question on everybody's lips... did you sit: 11+, O Levels or GCSE's?
Andrea- Well!!, maybe the good old 80's & 90's have given my age away, O levels
Jo - O levels.
