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Minister puts training on the road

24 September 2008

A new mobile unit aimed at bringing retail training to employees throughout Northern Ireland has been launched by Employment Minister, Sir Reg Empey.

The unit, the first of its kind in the retail sector, is the brainchild of Musgrave Retail Partners NI, and will help deliver training to staff across the group’s 120 independently-owned SuperValu and Centra stores. The 45-foot articulated vehicle, which can accommodate 20 people in any one session, will travel to stores across Northern Ireland and addresses the geographical concerns that many employees have when attending training.

Highlighting the important role that the new unit will play in workforce training, the Minister said, “I must commend Musgrave Retail Partners NI and all those involved in this project. This is a ground-breaking idea that will ensure that all their staff, regardless of location receive the necessary training and gain accredited qualifications.”

The unit will offer training courses in many aspects of retail, including advanced customer service, fresh food courses and food safety. Management courses will also be carried out, covering recruitment and selection and performance management.

Nigel Briggs, Managing Director, Musgrave Retail Partners NI, said: “This training initiative will contribute significantly to the standard of retail across Northern Ireland as a whole.  We hope it will encourage more retail staff to complete training courses and ultimately remain within the food retail sector.  Musgrave is committed to supporting all our retail partners no matter where they are in the country and the training unit is an ideal way of including everyone.  We hope staff will become more confident and at the same time enhance their knowledge and further their careers.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
  2. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager, number 07699715440.