A GROUP of young apprentices have become trailblazers for their industry after getting a retail qualification.

Five teenagers, aged 16 to 18, who work at Bicester Village, completed a fast track bespoke retail programme that also bagged them a nationally recognised qualification.

At a special ceremony Bicester’s MP Tony Baldry presented the group with City and Guilds certificates — equivalent of four grade A to C GCSEs.

The five have also been offered a year’s contract to work at stores at the designer outlet centre.

National trainer and co-ordinator Helen Hedley said: “The programme has been a true success — all the apprentices passed all three component parts of the apprenticeship programme in record time”

Pictured from left are Katie Thomson, Ms Hedley, Robert Manley, Mr Baldry, Kirsty Fulford, Matthew Gray and Sophie Moore.