New academy for budding retailers

Tuesday 29 April 2014

Local school-leavers and graduates could be talking shop this September and learning how to become retail managers.

Voisins department store has set up the Voisins Retail Academy to promote retail as a career option and to recruit and train some home grown talent, which they've been struggling to find.

The company's Chairman Gerald Voisin said: “The Academy has been designed to give Jersey students and graduates further employment opportunities and to promote retail as a long-term career with the successful candidates filling genuine management roles within Voisins as they arise.

“When recruiting staff for new concessions and brands in store, we have encountered difficulties finding local candidates with the right skills and experience. By launching the Academy, we will be equipping young people with the skills they need to become successful retail professionals.”

Budding retailers aged between 18 and 22 can apply for a place on the four-year management development programme which will be open to four young people every year. They will be employed by the Store and will get to go on training programmes, attend seminars and take part in workshops whilst getting on-the-job experience.

They will also get to attend the prestigious Oxford Summer School run by the British Independent Retailers’ Association as well as London Fashion Retail Academy courses.

To apply for a place, applicants can email their CV and covering letter to  Alison.levesconte@voisins.com