National home improvement retailer Homebase is one organisation to have benefited from the expertise of work based learning through Focus Training here in Devon. 11 employees from The Kingsteignton store have recently celebrated the successful completion of NVQ’S in: Retail, Customer Service and Team Leading.

Focus Training is proud to be associated with Homebase, who support this programme, by supporting their workforce to achieve Apprenticeships in Retail and Customer Service. In addition, the Train to Gain programme, whereby adults over 25 years achieve their first level 2 qualifications free of charge, has been successfully utilised by eight Homebase employees to date.

Jackie Lowrie, Business Development Manager for Focus Training states, ‘we are pleased to be working with such a prestigious retailer as Homebase, and are very proud of the hard work and determination of our learners. They have not only succeeded in improving their own personal skill sets but have also contributed to the overall effectiveness and consequent success within Homebase. We look forward to a prosperous and long lasting future with Homebase’.

Craig Lawrence, Service Manager, Homebase Newton Abbot states, ‘The importance of work-based learning is to allow our colleagues to fulfil their potential, whether that's to become the best in their current role or to progress and grow in our business. By creating this environment of continuous improvement we will deliver the service our customers expect and deserve. Focus Training have been extremely supportive of our colleagues throughout their journey, and we look forward to working with them again in the future’.

Some of the Homebase sales team are pictured above with their certificates. From left to right on the back row, is Mary Parker, Lesley Oliver, Chris Bullen (from Focus Training), Kim Parsons, Helen Pullin. On the front row, left to right is Ben Trotman, Hollie Rochester and Sheri Eden.