Retail Operations (Visual Merchandising) Advanced Apprenticeship

The retail industry is both diverse and exciting, offering a wide range of employment & training opportunities. The level of service provided by retailers in today's competitive environment is crucial to their success and staff development is vital in achieving this. A broader range of services, changing customer needs and the adoption of computer based systems provide a challenge to the retailer to keep their staff up-to-date in a fast changing world. An Advanced Retail Apprenticeship will help develop the supervisory skills required to progress candidates careers.

What is an Apprenticeship?
An Apprenticeship is a set of qualifi cations that you can achieve while working. This set is made up of NVQs, Key Skills (Maths & English) and other job-related qualifi cations.

There are two levels of Apprenticeships:
• Apprenticeship (NVQ Level 2)
• Advanced Apprenticeship (NVQ Level 3)

Most people start on an Apprenticeship before progressing to an Advanced Apprenticeship, where you can gain higher level work skills with a view to becoming a supervisor or manager.

What are NVQs?
NVQs (National Vocational Qualifi cations) are based on continuous assessment of your skills and knowledge in the workplace. Each NVQ is made up of a number of ‘units' covering all the skills required for your chosen job. As NVQs are based on your ability to demonstrate skills in practice, any relevant previous experience can help you achieve units.

Which Apprenticeships does HTP offer?
HTP offers Apprenticeships in these areas:
• Hospitality & Catering
• Management and Team Leading
• Retail
• Customer Service
• Business Administration
• Childcare (from Jan 09 - Isle of Wight & New Forest only)

How long does an Apprenticeship take?
Apprenticeships are very fl exible; you can start at any time and can proceed at your own pace, as long as you fi nish within an agreed timescale. An Apprenticeship will usually take between 9 to 15 months to complete. An Advanced Apprenticeship will take between 12 and 18 months.

How do NVQs relate to other qualifications?

Level: Equivalent to:

• Level 1 : 5 GCSEs at grades D-G
• Level 2 : 5 GCSEs at grades A-C
• Level 3 : 2 A levels/1 vocational A level
• Level 4/5 : HNC, HND & degree level

Why do I need HTP?
HTP is one of the South's leading training companies, with a friendly team of qualifi ed and experienced staff. We were the fi rst training provider in the UK to be awarded the Government's Training Quality Standard and consistently achieve higher learner success rates than the national averages.

How will HTP be involved?
Throughout your learning programme we aim to provide you with:

• high quality training which takes into account your individual needs
and abilities, specifi c job skills and occupational competences
• training consultants who set high professional standards, are committed to your learning and are competent and well qualified in their subject or vocational areas
• regular reviews of your progress and to provide you with support and feedback on your achievements
• a well-managed and coordinated programme that meets the expected
outcomes
• opportunities for you to feed back your own views on your learning programme
• a safe and healthy environment which complies with Health & Safety
regulations.

What’s expected of me?
As an Apprentice with HTP, we ask you to:

• make a positive commitment andcontribution to your own development
and learning
• attend your learning programmes and complete and submit work on time
• participate fully in sessions at which your progress is reviewed by listening
to the comments of your training consultant and/or employer and by expressing your own views
• respect others, regardless of differences in culture, ability, race,
gender, age, religion, belief or sexual orientation
• behave responsibly and safely at all times.

Duration:15- 18 months

How much are Apprentices paid, and by whom?
The amount depends on your age and the programme you are on.
As at 1st August 2008 the following rates of pay apply:

• Programme: Non-Employed Apprenticeship
  - Age:16–18
  - Money received: £30 per week + travel through EMA*
  - Paid by: Government

• Programme: Apprenticeship or Advanced Apprenticeship
  - Age:16–18
  - Money received: At least £80 per week (£95 from August 09) + travel in most cases
  - Paid by: Employer

• Programme: Apprenticeship or Advanced Apprenticeship
  - Age:19+
  - Money received: At least £80 per week (£95 from August 09) + travel in most cases, for the fi rst year of your training. At least National Minimum Wage thereafter.
  - Paid by: Employer

This is not a definitive guide to Apprenticeship pay. *The Education Maintainence Allowance (EMA) is subject to status.