In this, National Apprenticeship Week (March 9-13), Topps Tiles says it is continuing its support for the initiative, with 119 people enrolled on apprenticeships across its 340-strong store network.
The business offers a 12-month placement enabling apprentices to join their local Topps Tiles store team, where they are mentored in every aspect of retail.

The retailer now has 700 employees nationwide who have already worked towards apprenticeships, and the company was featured in the National Apprenticeship Service's Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers List 2014.

Topps learning and development manager Laura Morris said: "Apprenticeships are continuing to grow in popularity, helping to enable people to gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, while working and earning at the same time.

"We're proud to be able to support our colleagues, and also young people outside the business with an interest in retail, by helping them to further their learning and development through an apprenticeship course with Topps Tiles."

One Topps employee who has successfully completed an apprenticeship is 20-year-old Kiran Kaur.

He said: "My 12-month business and administration apprenticeship at Topps Tiles' head office in Grove Park was a fantastic experience and was tailored to my specific needs and chosen career path. I was able to pick individual admin modules in both HR and business, which placed me in good stead for my position as a HR administrator with the business.

"I'm thrilled to have achieved a level two diploma through the course and would urge all young people to consider it as a viable career move."