Chesterfield announces its first Retail Apprentice of the Year

The first Retail Apprentice of the Year award was part of the town’s long running annual Chesterfield Retail Awards. It was introduced to the category line-up by the event organiser Destination Chesterfield to support the Apprentice Town initiative and highlight the importance of apprentices within the retail sector.

Chloe Hall (18), a Level 2 hair and beauty apprentice who works at The Therapy Lounge in Hasland, Chesterfield, is the first apprentice to win the brand-new award, which was also sponsored by the Apprentice Town initiative led by Chesterfield Borough Council. Chloe’s employer, The Therapy Lounge, was also named as the Hair and Beauty Business of the Year at the awards.

Last year, Chesterfield became the first town in the UK to declare itself an Apprentice Town – demonstrating its commitment to growing the future and careers of young people alongside business and the economy by retaining and developing young talent in the town, attracting more employers to invest there.

There are currently more than 4,000 people currently participating in apprenticeships in Chesterfield. It is hoped the Apprentice Town initiative will encourage young people, parents and businesses to think ‘Apprenticeship First’.

Chloe, a former Bolsover School pupil, commented on her award win: “I was really shocked to win. It’s great to be recognised and it really has opened up a lot more new opportunities for me. I’m really enjoying my time here at The Therapy Lounge, especially carrying out treatments on clients and seeing the end result of that treatment.”

She added: “I’d recommend an apprenticeship over everything. It gives you so much real life working experience. With an apprenticeship, it leads you onto your next chapter and often cuts out that step in between.”

In addition to Apprentice of the Year, the Chesterfield Retail Awards also recognised the Apprentice Employer of the Year. The award, which was sponsored by Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), was won by Ashgate Hospicecare.

Tracie Holocuk, Manager of one of Ashgate Hospicecare’s stores, said: “Having an apprentice in our business has made a huge difference to us. I would recommend it.”

To see the full list of winners at the Chesterfield Retail Awards 2018, please visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards/winners/2018-2/