The Kilkenny Group is Ireland’s largest retail chain for Irish designed products, including: jewellery, crystal, pottery and unique gifts. The company originated from the Kilkenny Design Workshop, set up by the Irish Government in 1963. Kilkenny became an independent retail group in 1999, and the company has expanded to operate 7 stores nationwide.

The introduction of Occupational Qualifications in the Kilkenny Group flagship store, in Nassau Street, Dublin has proved to be a huge success. The groups experiences have been reported in a new IBEC publication “The Essential Guide to Employee Engagement”.

Staff in the store have already completed several modules including: Retail Customer Service, Retail Selling and Retail Security. A spokesperson for the store stated “the modules have proved very useful in re-emphasising the standards and behaviour required, even for long term staff”. They added that the “growth in confidence among staff members has been outstanding…and the modules have reinforced their skills and provided them with internationally recognised qualifications.

The Kilkenny Group motto is “Being the best at what we do” and the modules have contributed to this aim.

The feedback has been so positive that Occupational Qualifications will be introduced, in the near future, in the Kilkenny Group’s other stores.

The Kilkenny Group held an Awards ceremony recently in their Nassau Street store to recognise the achievements of their staff who were receiving Level 5 FETAC Awards in Retail.

Kilkenny Group Managing Director, Marian O’ Gorman and Financial Director, Mark Sexton presented staff with their awards.

They congratulated the staff on receiving their qualifications and said how pleased they were that the company could give staff this opportunity to learn, develop and achieve recognition for the skills they possess and the job they do. Marian and Mark also commended staff for their loyalty and service to the company.

Caroline Heagney, IBEC Retail Skillnet Regional Consultant paid tribute to the hard work of the staff and the effort and enthusiasm of Mary Keane, their assessor.

Mary Keane recently represented the Kilkenny Group at a Retail Council gathering in Dublin. Mary made a presentation to Council members regarding the benefits of training for staff, customers and the company. Caroline Heagney, on behalf of the Council, thanked Mary for her excellent presentation and her continuing contribution in the promotion of Retail based training in the Dublin area.

Pictured are staff from the Kilkenny Group who received their FETAC Level 5 Certificates. Also pictured is IBEC Retail Skillnet Regional Consultant Caroline Heagney (Back row, left)

Click here to see further pictures from the Awards Night

Winter Assessment is now well underway, with candidates working towards achieving their Occupational Qualifications. Just a reminder of the deadlines for returning Assessment Books to IBEC Retail Skillnet:

Estimates are due by 24th September 2008

Assessment Books due by 31st October 2008

Estimates and Assessment Booklets can be sent directly to Head Office, or they can be given to the Regional Consultant responsible for your area.

For further information on your local Regional Consultant, Click here

Cordners Shoes Ltd. have become IBEC Retail Skillnet Network members. Cordners Shoes Ltd has been in business for 30 years in Sligo. The business was started by Leslie Bagnall in 1978, and is today managed by Leslie, Gillian and David Bagnall.

Cordners Shoes Ltd also have a branch in Navan, an additional footwear store, “L-Bees” in Sligo and a fashion outlet called “Strollers”, also in Sligo

Cordners Shoes Ltd have introduced Retail Occupational Qualifications, training 2 Assessors who will operate in store. Their staff have already embarked on the programme, choosing to start with the Retail Customer Service module.

Maureen Lavin, IBEC Retail Skillnet Regional Consultant, said “Over the years Cordners Shoes have offered good advice and friendly service to local and visiting customers; and as a result have built a loyal customer base”. She added “Cordners recognise the benefits  which accredited training can bring to the business, staff and customers”.

Shaws held a recent Awards night to celebrate the success of staff in their Wexford store, who received their FETAC Level 5 Retail Occupational Qualifications.

Among those receiving qualifications on the night were Brian Codd, Bernie Keane and Josephine Brennan, who collectively have over 112 years experience working in the Retail sector.

The Awards night was attended by Minister John Browne (Department of Agriculture), Hazel Cuddihy (Store manager), Ian Fanning (Operations Director), Tom O’Brien (HR manager) and Caroline Heagney (IBEC Retail Skillnet Regional Consultant).

Minister Browne said “it is fantastic to see so many staff who have contributed so much to retail over the years getting formal recognition for the skills and experience they have”. He added that Shaws were to be commended for the proactive role they were taking and the investment they were making in the training and development of their staff.

  Minister John Browne presents Brian Codd with his Award (centre). Brian has 38 years service in retail.  Also pictured are (l-r) Hazel Cuddihy, Ian Fanning, Caroline Heagney and Tom O’Brien.

Click here to see further pictures from the awards night