Member Article

Local apprentice Jenna Unwin shortlisted for national award

Jenna Unwin, aged 17, has been shortlisted for a prestigious award from People 1st; the skills and workforce development charity for employers in the hospitality, tourism, leisure, travel, passenger transport and retail industries after being nominated by her tutor Jayne Wills at The Source Skills Academy.

Jenna, who lives in Rotherham, has been shortlisted for the Retail Intermediate Apprentice Award. She will be travelling to London where the award ceremony is being held in The House of Commons on Thursday, alongside her mum Hayley Unwin, the business owner Kara Chapman and a representative from The Source.

Achieving the award would be a fantastic recognition of Jenna’s hard work; Jenna started her apprenticeship in September 2013 and is already Store Manager of a new branch of The Whistle Stop Sweet Shop in Sheffield.

The Whistle Stop Sweet Shop, owned by husband and wife team Kara and Tony Chapman, first opened in Rotherham in 2010. The shop is a bespoke sweet boutique offering a wide variety of delicious high quality sweets and luxurious sweet gifts.

Half way through Jenna’s training in Level 2 Retail Skills Diploma; her employers were so impressed that they began to discuss the possibility of her managing her own store. In June 2014, they began to plan the new store and found the ideal location in the entrance to Orchard Square in Sheffield City Centre with Jenna involved every step of the way.

The new store opened in October when she was promoted to store manager and Jenna now manages her own apprentice. Keen to continue expanding on her knowledge, Jenna is hoping to study for a Level 3 Retail Management qualification with The Source to improve her strength as a manager.

Her tutor Jayne said “Jenna continuously astounds me with her knowledge and enthusiasm for retail. Jenna’s maturity is so refreshing; she is a very caring person and she really looks after her staff. She is a very bright young woman and I look forward to following her career as I know she will go far.”

Jenna said “I was so excited when I received the email saying I’d been nominated and was invited to The House of Commons. I’m really enjoying my role at the new store and this news is the icing on the cake”.

Kara said “We’re so proud of Jenna and she thoroughly deserves this award. Jenna is such a valuable member of the team - if Jenna sets her mind on achieving something; there is no stopping her. I’m sure she has a great career ahead of her and this award would be a fantastic accolade.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emily Sharples .