A REDDITCH employment and training initiative has launched a new awards scheme to honour individuals and companies who offer excellent customer care.

REDI's retail & customer care training initiative 'Redditch Retail Professionals' is based in the Kingfisher Centre.

Its aim is to work with retail and customer-focused organisations to help them recruit quality staff with a sound knowledge of the industry.

REDI also offers training to people looking to gain retail careers and to employers looking for generic staff trained in retail and customer care.

The project has recently experienced success with the Ambition Retail programme, run in conjunction with Jobcentre Plus, which gained employment for a high proportion of those who completed the training & placement phase.

The initial idea for the awards was taken forward following discussions with Town Centre Manager Jane Muckle, the Learning Skills Council and the Chamber of Commerce.

Funding from the latter two supported the launch of the award.

Award nomination leaflets are available from the information kiosk and various shops and public buildings in the town.