Brown Thomas have become the first retailer in Ireland to receive Retail Occupational Qualifications through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

10 staff from the Brown Thomas store in Cork participated in an RPL pilot programme in late 2008. They successfully achieved their Level 5 Retail Customer Service Awards in February 2009.

At a special awards ceremony, in the Cork store, they were presented with their awards by Marie Gould, Development Officer, FETAC. Management and staff from Brown Thomas congratulated their colleagues on a great achievement.

Commenting on the experience, staff said that they had thoroughly enjoyed the process and offered their encouragement to all their colleagues wishing to participate in the RPL process in the near future. They concluded by expressing their wish that the company would implement the RPL programme in all Brown Thomas stores across the country.

Pictured: Staff from Brown Thomas, Cork, with Marie Gould, FETAC and Caroline Heagney, IBEC Retail Skillnet