The Retail Apprentice of the Year Award (Level 3) is a new category within the Rising Star Awards, which is aimed at recognising the talents of people working their way up through the retail ranks and rewarding their efforts and achievements as the future leaders of retail.

The winner of the award will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in September.

Employers or learning providers, together with their Apprentices should complete an entry form and return it to Skillsmart Retail no later than 22 June 07.

The award is the perfect opportunity for employers and learning providers to become involved and to nominate deserving apprentices for this prestigious title.

Nominations are open to level 3 Retail Apprentices in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Each entry will be assessed on the basis of an apprentice's achievements in the distance travelled for four key areas including career progression, exceeding employers" expectations, contribution to the business objectives and impact on the organisation and benefit to the employer.

An independent panel of experts will judge entries submitted to the Retail Apprentice of the Year Award.

The awards themselves will be presented to winners during a glamorous gala dinner on 27 September 2007 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, in London.

For further information and details on how to enter, please see the Skillsmart Retail website. Entry forms can be downloaded from www.skillsmartretail.com or by emailing a request for a copy to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The Apprentice's employer must endorse all entries.

Chris Mitchell