The Source at Meadowhall Shopping Centre in Sheffield offers a range of vocational training, with a particular focus on retail skills and customer service. In 2006 the team extended the training programme to offer people opportunities to develop their retail skills right up to university level. They developed a Retail Foundation Degree in partnership with Sheffield College and Sheffield Hallam University. Retailers and the Sector Skills Council also provided input. Sheffield Hallam University validated the degree in December 2006. It is aimed at middle management and from March 2007 will be delivered at The Source by Sheffield College.
Students will be in employment and will study on a part-time basis over three years. They will learn through traditional lectures, tutorial support, workbooks to aid self-directed study and work based learning. Modules will include: Retail Operations Management, Human Resources Management, Understanding Retail Law, Business Strategy, Marketing and Management Accounting.
Sheffield Hallam University will also be introducing a one year top-up degree in Retail Management in March 2007. This will allow students to convert their Foundation Degrees into full Honours Degrees.
Since opening in 2003 The Source has provided training to over 750 people:
- Work Based Learning: 422 learners and 40 employers. 118 people with no previous qualification have gained a nationally recognised Level Two NVQ and 85 people have completed the full apprenticeship.
- Source of Your Own Destiny Course: 323 people have improved their prospects for employment as well as their health and lifestyle. These included lone parents, returners-to-work, ex-offenders, former drug users and those with refugee status.
- Supported Employment Programme: 22 people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder have gained work experience.
In 2006 over 250 learners were enrolled on courses at The Source:
- 103 on the Apprenticeship programme (16- 24 years olds)
- 75 on the Level Two Train to Gain programme
- 20 on the Level Three Train to Gain programme
- 66 on the Source of your Own Destiny Course.
To find out more about these courses visit http://thesource.meadowhall.co.uk
