Retail Ireland Skillnet

15/10/2026

We had an incredible day in Cork City this week hosting a highly engaging coaching and mentoring seminar for our dedicated workplace mentors! These mentors play a crucial role in supporting apprentices on our Apprenticeship in Retail Supervision programme.

Delivered by David Dorgan, the session dived deep into high-performance coaching to help our leaders unlock their team's full potential.

Throughout the day, our mentors actively explored the core differences between coaching and mentoring. They examined the key traits of top-tier coaches, such as communication, active listening and rapport building. They also engaged deeply with the WEGROW model, participating in live demonstrations and hands-on practice sessions.

The group also discussed the vital reasons behind coaching, focusing on personal growth areas like emotional intelligence and leadership, as well as practical business benefits including team development and succession planning.

Through role-playing scenarios and a final participant coaching challenge, attendees stepped out of their comfort zones. This ensured they walked away with practical tools and questions they could use immediately in conversations with their teams.

A huge thank you to all our mentors for their continued and important engagement! 👏

25/09/2026

🌟 Inspiring stories from the Heroes Stage at WorldSkills Ireland! 🌟

Last week, attendees at the Heroes Stage heard from a number of inspiring Apprentice of the Year 2026 nominees who shared their career journeys and demonstrated the impact apprenticeships can have on personal and professional growth.

A special shout-out to our second-year Apprenticeship in Retail Supervision apprentice, Kelly Webster, who spoke so positively about her experience on the programme:

💬 “I wanted to learn something new, and the Apprenticeship in Retail Supervision gave me that opportunity.”

Kelly's story is a great example of how apprenticeships can open doors, build confidence, and support career development.

Take a look back at some of the highlights from Wednesday's Heroes Stage and get inspired by the apprentices who are helping to shape the future of apprenticeship in Ireland. 👏🇮🇪

Apprenticeship Ireland

In the run up to the Apprentice of the Year Awards 2026 this Octobe...

22/09/2026

Join us this Thursday for AI Essentials for Retailers (Level 1)!
This FREE 2-hour webinar will show you how AI can help save time, support your team, and improve customer service.
📅 Thursday, 24 September 2026
⏰ 10:00am - 12:00pm
💻 Live on Zoom
💰 Free to attend
Who is it for?
Anyone working in retail who wants to learn how AI can help their business. No technical knowledge needed.
What you'll learn:
• How to use AI safely and protect business data
• The difference between free and paid AI tools
• Simple tips for getting better results from AI
• Practical AI examples for retail and customer service
• How to start using AI in your role
Facilitator: James McClenaghan, Founder of NuaVantage.
Register now:
https://lnkd.in/eX88Xp8c
Spaces are limited, so secure your free place today!

10/09/2026

We are thrilled to welcome our first-year retail apprentices from the Galway cohort this week! 🛍️
✨They are officially starting their apprenticeship journey, balancing their studies with hands-on experience on the shop floor.
We are so proud to support them over the next 2 years as they grow and build their retail careers.
Apprenticeship Ireland

03/09/2026

Meet the youngest Shift Manager promoted at McDonald’s Ireland and one of our standout apprentices heading into Year 2 Lauren Fowler! 🚀

Like a lot of people, Lauren found that traditional classroom learning just didn't suit her. After starting as a crew member in 2019, she worked her way up the ranks through sheer hard work and drive. But when it came to the idea of returning to education, she was initially hesitant.

"I wasn’t a ‘book’ person, so I was really nervous about putting myself forward" Lauren told us. "But I can confidently say this programme has completely changed my experience with education. The support systems and diverse ways of learning mean nobody gets left behind."

After a brilliant first year, Lauren is now getting stuck into Year 2, starting with our Omnichannel Marketing module. Her favourite part? Taking fresh marketing insights straight back to the restaurant floor.

"The best thing for me is getting to take your learnings and actually bring them back to the workplace. It’s massively improved my confidence because I learn better by physically putting things into practice. Plus, catching up with classmates teaches you things about the industry you just couldn’t get from a textbook!"

We couldn’t be prouder of how much Lauren has grown, both personally and professionally, over the past year. Please join us in wishing her the absolute best of luck as she dives into Year 2! 👏

If you’re keen to invest in your career and learn hands-on like Lauren, take a look at our upcoming programmes.

01/09/2026

Welcome new apprentices! It was great meeting everyone from the Dublin cohort at induction today. We can’t wait to be part of your learning journey and see all that you accomplish over the next two years. 🙌✨

28/08/2026

Back in action! 💫
Huge welcome back to our 2nd year Retail Apprentices from Cork, Dublin and Galway. Ready to put their learning into practice and take their retail career to the next level. Apprenticeship Ireland

26/08/2026

Join us for AI Essentials for Retailers (Level 1) A FREE, 2-hour webinar tailored specifically to help retailers save time, support teams, and elevate customer experiences.

📅 Date: 24th September 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
💻 Format: Live via Zoom
🎟️ Cost: FREE

Who Should Attend?
Ideal for anyone working in retail who wants to gain an understanding of how AI can be introduced to their business - No technical knowledge required.

Key Takeaways
✅ Learn how to keep your business data private while navigating the key differences between free, paid, and enterprise AI tools.
✅ Master simple prompting techniques to get fast, accurate, and high-value results every time.
✅ Watch real-time AI demonstrations addressing staff communication, training, continuous improvement, and customer service.
✅ Build a step-by-step plan to introduce AI into your role or business.

👨‍🏫 Expert Facilitator: Led by James McClenaghan, Founder of NuaVantage. James brings over 20 years of experience helping businesses make technology accessible, practical, and measurable.

👇Register now to secure your free spot!👇

https://retailirelandskillnet.zoom.us/meeting/register/mGObPbKXQC2ca3TgBADUeg

This webinar is funded through Skills4Retail.

07/08/2026

We’re delighted to share another inspiring student success story! 🌟
Today, we are proud to share a fantastic testimonial from Alexandra, who is employed by Centra and recently completed the Apprenticeship in Retail Supervision Programme.
"I’ve been working in retail for about eight years, seven of which have been with Centra," Alexandra shares. "I chose to enroll in the programme because I wanted to push myself, advance my career, and gain a much deeper understanding of how retail businesses operate."
For Alexandra, the hands-on nature of the course made all the difference. "What I enjoyed most was how practical it was—a lot of what we learned could be applied directly in the workplace. I won’t lie, balancing full-time work with study wasn't easy, but it was completely worth it. It builds genuine, real-world confidence rather than just theoretical knowledge. It has made me far better prepared to lead a team and handle the daily challenges we all face in retail."
She adds with a smile, "The picture below doesn’t need too many words—it’s proof of just how much this programme has helped me!"
We look forward to seeing you at graduation this September, Alexandra! 🎓
🌟 Applications are now open for the 2026 intake.
If you are a retail employer or a retail employee and want to find out more, email [email protected] for more information, or register your interest and a member of the team will be in touch:
🔗 https://lnkd.in/eJiajxTi
Apprenticeship Ireland

31/07/2026

Nominations for the 2026 Apprentice of the Year Awards are officially closed! ✨
We are thrilled to announce that 13 of our Retail Apprentices have made the shortlist.
A sincere thank you to all the nominators, employers and apprentices for your support.
Congratulations to all our shortlisted retail apprentices - we wish you the best of luck! 🤞
Apprenticeship Irelandceship Ireland