A former retail apprentice from West Cheshire College is celebrating after being promoted to an assistant manager at Cheshire Oaks.

Sian Wainwright, 26, who is from Ellesmere Port, completed an apprenticeship in visual merchandising while working as a supervisor at the Regatta store at the designer outlet.

She has now completed her training and gained the skills and experience to be promoted to management.

Sian said: “I chose to do an apprenticeship as I wanted to improve my skills and gain a qualification whilst in my current role.

“When I heard about the apprenticeship scheme, I thought it was a fantastic idea as I could get a qualification whilst continuing with my existing job.

“The apprenticeship helped me to build up my current skills that I use every day and refreshed my English and maths knowledge which I hadn’t covered since GCSE.

“I had a tutor that came into the store to observe me and I could easily fit the requirements of the apprenticeship around my job.

“The apprenticeship really helped me to improve in my role and increased my attention to detail which has led to my promotion.”

Jo Williams, fashion retail programme leader at the college, said: “The apprenticeship schemes are excellent for students to attain the exact experience they need to go straight into the industry they want to work in.

“Sian has shown that apprenticeships can also be used by people already in a role to improve their skills and help them progress in their career.

“We are thrilled with Sian’s achievements as she was so enthusiastic and worked extremely hard throughout the apprenticeship.

“She really deserves this promotion.”