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A Source Trainer and learner have been shortlisted at the Skillsmart Retail's Rising Star Awards, recognising the best in retail education.

The Skillsmart Retail Rising Stars Awards are designed to recognise the best talent in all areas of retail, from star apprentices, to top-notch marketeers and buyers, all demonstrating outstanding talent, aptitude and initiative in their roles - singling them out as the ones to watch.

George Elliott, who is a trainer at The Source, Meadowhall, is one of three nominees in the National Skills Academy for Retail Trainer of the Year category, which hopes to find the finest retail trainer from the 31 National Skills Academy for Retail skills shops around the country.

George said: "I've loved every moment of my career and wouldn't change anything, but becoming a trainer has given me the opportunity to explore my dream of becoming a teacher. Changing the perception of retail as a career is one of my key challenges; it's about making people aware of what an exciting and diverse sector it is."

27-year-old Kieron Ellis, who works at Dorothy Perkins in Lincoln, is one of four nominees in the Skillsmart Retail Apprentice of the Year category, which recognises the finest apprentices in the retail sector from the 10,000 who complete the course every year. The category is sponsored by ABC Awards, City & Guilds and EDI.

Kieron, who accessed his Apprenticeship through The Source retail skills shop in Sheffield, said: "I've always been passionate about retail and the depth of my work experience shows that, but I really wanted to cement everything that I'd learnt on the job and back it up with the theory. The Apprenticeship has really opened my eyes to possibilities of retail and I hope to one day become a merchandiser or buyer in head office. The Apprenticeship and trainers at The Source are helping me achieve my dreams and have gone above and beyond to ensure my training is the best."

Almost 80 individuals and teams from a range of businesses and retail skills shops across the country will have to wait until the ceremony on Wednesday, 8th September to find out which of them will walk away with one of the 17 prestigious Rising Stars trophies.

This year's event will be attended by top names in retail, including Dragons' Den star and Chairman of Ryman, Theo Paphitis, who will present the awards to the winners.

Theo Paphitis said: "This is the third year I will have attended this awards ceremony to meet the up-and-coming retailers of the future and the high standard continues to impress me."