Learner Testimonial

Learner Testimonial - Barnaby Stygall

Job Title: Assistant Manager

Apprenticeship Programme: Level 4 Retail Manager

Whilst picking up new skills on this course, I was able to put them into action when opportunities came up in the store. The biggest test was being put in charge of the store for 16 months in the store manager's absence, just as covid-19 hit.

I learned how to improve my time management and prioritize more effectively to find the perfect balance between the day-to-day job role of a store manager along with doing this apprenticeship.

I built a network of people in the business, both in-store and at head office, who I could turn to for advice and support when needed, which ultimately made the difference in my result.

After completing the apprenticeship I shared my learnings with other salaried staff in the business to use in their own stores to help develop their own teams. I have built stronger relationships with my employees in store and have learned new ways to motivate staff by applying motivational theories.

I am now more confident in my ability as a manager and have a wider skillset which puts me in a stronger position for any opportunities that come up.

As a result of my apprenticeship, I am doing more than I thought I would be capable of, using my skillset to elevate staff training and development in store and motivate and lead my team to success so we are in the best position possible for our new store later this year. I feel very confident in what I am now capable of achieving with everything, I have learned.

I want to carry on learning and after the success of this level 4 qualification, it has given me the motivation to keep improving.

My skills coach Michelle Gurner was excellent from start to finish.

She provided me with support and guidance all the way through and helped me with any issues I had. She challenged me the entire duration of the course and gave me the belief that I could achieve the distinction I set out for to begin with. She was always just a phone call or email away when I needed advice. I could not have asked for more from a skills coach.

The workshops were excellent all the way through and were professionally delivered by SR tutors, who made it easy to understand and apply in my job role. Everything we learned was relevant to Frasers Group and incorporated the future direction of our business.