A new apprenticeship for shop managers has been launched by top industry experts and Newham College.

The college’s Centre for Innovation and Partnerships (CIPS) developed the higher apprenticeship in retail management after consultations with, among others, employers, retail organisations, industry experts, and potential apprentices.

It was launched on June 25 at Westfield Stratford City, at an event attended by, Mark Palmer, marketing director of sandwich shop chain Pret A Manger and Noel Saunders managing director of John Lewis Stratford.

The qualification is a Level 4 and will equip managers with a wide range of skills including customer service, management skills, E-commerce and social media, visual merchandising, buying, merchandising and retail operations.

Funded by National Apprenticeship Service, the programme is aimed at new and existing staff of all ages and is designed to fit into existing management training programmes.