Cordners Shoes Ltd. have become IBEC Retail Skillnet Network members. Cordners Shoes Ltd has been in business for 30 years in Sligo. The business was started by Leslie Bagnall in 1978, and is today managed by Leslie, Gillian and David Bagnall.

Cordners Shoes Ltd also have a branch in Navan, an additional footwear store, “L-Bees” in Sligo and a fashion outlet called “Strollers”, also in Sligo

Cordners Shoes Ltd have introduced Retail Occupational Qualifications, training 2 Assessors who will operate in store. Their staff have already embarked on the programme, choosing to start with the Retail Customer Service module.

Maureen Lavin, IBEC Retail Skillnet Regional Consultant, said “Over the years Cordners Shoes have offered good advice and friendly service to local and visiting customers; and as a result have built a loyal customer base”. She added “Cordners recognise the benefits  which accredited training can bring to the business, staff and customers”.

Shaws held a recent Awards night to celebrate the success of staff in their Wexford store, who received their FETAC Level 5 Retail Occupational Qualifications.

Among those receiving qualifications on the night were Brian Codd, Bernie Keane and Josephine Brennan, who collectively have over 112 years experience working in the Retail sector.

The Awards night was attended by Minister John Browne (Department of Agriculture), Hazel Cuddihy (Store manager), Ian Fanning (Operations Director), Tom O’Brien (HR manager) and Caroline Heagney (IBEC Retail Skillnet Regional Consultant).

Minister Browne said “it is fantastic to see so many staff who have contributed so much to retail over the years getting formal recognition for the skills and experience they have”. He added that Shaws were to be commended for the proactive role they were taking and the investment they were making in the training and development of their staff.

  Minister John Browne presents Brian Codd with his Award (centre). Brian has 38 years service in retail.  Also pictured are (l-r) Hazel Cuddihy, Ian Fanning, Caroline Heagney and Tom O’Brien.

Click here to see further pictures from the awards night
 

Aileen Flynn recently won an Apple ipod in the recent IBEC Retail Skillnet draw. Aileen was one of the many assessors who had their assessment booklets returned to IBEC Retail Skillnet before the competition deadline.

Assessor Profile

Aileen is the assistant manager at Ballybrack Medical Hall, Co. Dublin. She is a qualified pharmacy technician who has been working in the sector for 30 years.

She currently works with Ballybrack Medical Hall pharmacist, May Gallagher.

In Aileen’s role as assistant manager she is heavily involved in the day to day running of the pharmacy, carrying out various duties including banking, stock ordering and liaising with various Health Departments in order to provide the best possible service for customers.

Aileen’s job keeps her extremely busy, but she has found that  her role as an assessor is very rewarding. She has successfully introduced Retail Occupational Qualifications in the pharmacy. The staff at Ballybrack Medical Hall have now completed one module, which they found to be extremely informative. They are now embarking on their second module under Aileen’s careful guidance.

There are 8 members of staff working in the pharmacy and each has a very important role in the business. Aileen states that “the pharmacy maintains a very high calibre of employee and the benefits of this can be seen in the high levels of customer loyalty that the business enjoys”.

Aileen believes that Occupational Qualifications help to create greater team cohesion among the staff and the training fits easily into the store’s daily routine.

The toy and book retailer, Byrne’s World of Wonder, are the latest company to join the IBEC Retail Skillnet Network. Byrne’s World of Wonder were established in 1973. They now operate 20 stores throughout Munster and Leinster, and are the largest member of the World of Wonder group.

Lorraine Rossiter, H.R. manager with Byrne’s World of Wonder,  is looking forward to the current roll out of Retail Occupational Qualifications programme. Lorraine said “By joining the IBEC Retail Skillnet Network all of our (350) staff now have access to an excellent range of retail based learning resources and qualifications. The programme will enhance and strengthen our existing training programmes and improve training and promotional prospects for all our staff”.

3G, the telecommunications company, are the latest company to have joined the IBEC Retail Skillnet network. 3G is a subsidiary of the Sigma Wireless Group, which was established in 1991. The Sigma Wireless Group is considered as the leading, independently owned Irish company specialising in the mobile communications industry.

Ms. Monica Gleeson, H.R manager, Sigma Wireless, represents 3G on the National Steering Group.

Ms.Gleeson said that she was very impressed with the Occupational Qualifications programme and was delighted to join the Network. She also added that she believes that Retail Occupational Qualifications will “support and compliment existing structures and staff training within 3G”.

Occupational Qualifications will be piloted initially in six 3G stores, with National roll out in their stores, throughout the country, planned for the near future.

The Sigma Wireless representative, Mr. Alan Mulvey, was warmly welcomed by IBEC Retail Skillnets National Co-ordinator, Mr. Sean Carlin, and other Network members at the recent meeting in Dublin.