Retail Gold
Our partnership with Newcastle Education Business Partnership, offering students studying for B-Tech in Retailing practical experience with retailers, is in its third successful year.
Initially the programme was based at our Eldon Square shopping Centre in Newcastle and involved students from Gosforth and Kenton high schools. The success of the programme depends on the active participation of retailers. Over the two years since its inception ten retailers have taken part, with a substantial proportion of the participating students being offered placements by the John Lewis Partnership.
Depending on which stage of the B-Tech qualification is being studied, the students spend up to one day a week over a twelve week period learning various aspects of retailing; customer care, financial management, merchandising and procurement. This hands-on experience is an essential part of the coursework. At the end of the school year, successful students and the supporting retailers are invited to a celebration evening.
Following the success at Eldon Square, other schools in the Newcastle / Gateshead area have registered interest and for 2007/8 students have been placed with selected retailers at MetroCentre, as well as Eldon Square.
In addition, discussions are taking place to roll out the programme to Oxford as part of the strategy of improving the retail skills base to resource the planned re-development and expansion of Westgate, Oxford due to open in 2011.
