Retail jobs therapy gets a boost with new college shop (From Dudley News)

Retail jobs therapy gets a boost with new college shop

9:00am Sunday 28th October 2012 in Local

STOURBRIDGE College teamed up with town MP Margot James to open a one stop centre for people eyeing a career in retail.

The college’s Black Country Skills Shop was officially opened by Ms James earlier this month to give advice and provide training for people hoping to work in the retail sector.

The shop will also be open as a point of contact for retail employers looking for new staff or apprentices.

Margot James MP said: “I am delighted to have officially opened the Black Country Skills Shop.

“Equipping people with the right skills to gain employment and then succeed in their chosen careers is absolutely vital, and in years gone by we have not always seen enough emphasis placed on the value of vocational training.

Lynette Cutting, principal at Stourbridge College, added: “As part of the National Skills Academy for Retail we offer people employed in retail, as well as those hoping to enter the sector, the opportunity to access nationally recognised training and qualifications, including pre-employment courses, apprenticeships and management programmes.”

The Black Country Skills Shop is based at the Merry Hill Centre, opposite NatWest Bank on the Lower Mall, and is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am until 4.30pm.