LONDON RETAIL INDUSTRY GETS VITAL TRAINING SUPPORT

30 December 2005

A pilot programme called Central Skills is giving vital support to the retail and hospitality sectors in London, two sectors that are vital to the London economy and will figure prominently in the forthcoming 2012 Olympics.

The Central Skills project, funded by Learning and Skills Council, London Central, is addressing training issues within these sectors including the high turnover of staff, by delivering free, vocationally relevant qualifications to employees in the workplace.

TBG Learning, a leading independent training provider, was selected by Learning and Skills Council, London Central, to help deliver the Central Skills programme to employers. The company has been praised by Retail Profile Europe Ltd (RP), a retail consultancy that advises on premises leasing for shopping centres, property owners and retail merchants.

Julia Langkraerhr, Managing Director of Retail Profile, said:

“The training delivered by TBG Learning in the workplace was both relevant and acted as good practice to complement the existing in-house training we do. The programme was a great success and we hope to take the Central Skills model to the retailers we work with”.

Two employees of Retail Profile Europe Ltd (RP), based in West London, received training in the workplace to level 2, the equivalent of 5 GCSEs at A-C.

Sue Gidman, Director of TBG Learning, said:

“The successful results of the programme show that learners gained new skills and qualifications which serve to enhance and develop the businesses they work for, which is very important for London’s competitive market place. The flexibility we are able to offer employers makes this an attractive way to develop their staff without them having to leave their place of work”.

For further information please contact:
Penny Arbuthnot, Project PR
Telephone 01473 232385 - 07885 238374