Central West TAFE student Linda Reader has scooped an ‘Outstanding Performance’ award at the 2009 RAPS Retail Trainee of the Year awards held in Perth on 6th October.
The Retail & Personal Services (RAPS) training council serves the Retail, Community Pharmacy, Hairdressing, Floristry, Beauty Therapy and Funeral Services industry sectors in relation to Vocational Education and Training. They are the peak advisory body to the Government for these sectors.
Linda is employed by local jewellers Abrolhos Jewellers and is completing off the job training in the Certificate III in Retail Operations with Central West TAFE. Linda completed the Certificate II in Retail Operations traineeship in 2008 and won the Central West TAFE Trainee of the Year at the 2009 Awards Evening held earlier in the year.
Linda said, “To improve my skills and build knowledge of how to deliver excellent customer service I enrolled in the Certificate ll in Retail Operations Traineeship. After completing Certificate ll in 2008, I saw noticeable improvements in all aspects of my work. I knew exactly what was expected of me, and now I just try to exceed all of those expectations to be the best I can be. This gave me the drive to enrol in the Certificate lll to further develop my skills and experience”.
Linda was encouraged to enter the awards by her TAFE lecturer Julie Dines. Julie said, “Linda has shown commitment to her workplace and has been justifiably rewarded with formal qualifications and her second award for the year! Employers should consider traineeships as an excellent opportunity to hire for attitude and train for skill”.
Mr Bert Beevers, Managing Director of Central West TAFE said this is a great result for Linda, her employer and Central West TAFE. “We hope that the success of Central West TAFE students will encourage others to take advantage of the great study and employment opportunities that exist locally”.
The Retail Sector is Australia’s largest employer and consists of large, medium and small businesses.