. . .

"I am a much more confident person. I like to think I am a good team leader. Whatever I am asked to do, I am not afraid to get stuck in."

Lee Sugars, Focus Apprentice

Lee Sugars joined Focus at 17 as a part-time till operator and shelf stacker. He had wanted to be an electrician but had struggled to get accepted on a course.

At Focus, he excelled in customer service and supported by Intraining, passed his NVQ Level 2 in Retail. He was offered full-time work and attended a Duty Managers course. He was then promoted to team leader, responsible for nine colleagues.

Keen to progress, Lee also gained his Fork Lift Truck Licence, completed a First Aid Course and was trained to handle wagons coming in and out of the Focus delivery area.

Downsizing at the store found Lee head to head with another team leader with 17 years experience. Under a scoring system
that assessed their suitability for the role, Lee scored highest. Without his qualifications he would have lost his job.

Now 22, he is confident that he can manage both work and study and is lined up for fast track training as a sales floor manager. He also plans to do his NVQ Level 3.