Retail Training
- Retail as a career If you are reading this, the chances are that you have an interest in retail. If you are thinking about working in this dynamic industry or want to progress up the ladder in your existing retail career, there are inevitably many questions. There is a lot more to retail than you think as it is one of the most diverse, fast paced and exciting careers of choice. Retail skills shops, like the skillscentre:mk, provide a signposting service for those looking into retail as a career.
- What is a skills shop All retail skills shops that are members of the National Skills Academy for Retail, have to provide the ‘Core Offer’. These courses and qualifications are suitable for retail workers at all levels as well as for people hoping to get into retail.
- Retail Qualifications Skillsmart Retail and awarding organisations, with input from retail employers, have developed a suite of retail qualifications that meet the needs of retailers.
- Retail Apprenticeships There has never been a more important time for retail to develop and retain a talented and skilled workforce. The current economic downturn has pushed re-skilling and up-skilling to the forefront of the retail agenda and giving tomorrow’s retail employees the required tools for the job is essential to the future of the sector as a whole.
- Retail Ambassador Retail Ambassadors speak up for retail, championing the sector in schools and colleges by offering their first-hand, real-life experience of working within the industry. In so doing, they perform a vital role influencing and inspiring the next generation of retail talent. The nationwide Retail Ambassador Programme has more than 300 retail employees who have volunteered their time to participate. Many have had the opportunity to visit schools and directly influence students within their local community; changing people’s misconceptions about retail and prompting them to consider the industry as a vibrant and professional career option.
- Mary Portas Developed in conjunction with Skillsmart Retail and delivered exclusively through the National Skills Academy for Retail’s skills shops, the Mary Portas Guide to Successful Retailing covers every stage of creating and running a successful retail business. Each master class has an invaluable set of hints and tips to improve the performance of all retailers. Master classes are delivered by fully-trained retail experts.
- World Host Future skills challenges for the retail sector - Recent research commissioned by Skillsmart Retail shows that the major future skills challenges are in improving customer service. Only through excellence in this aspect of the industry can businesses maintain point of difference and the improved product knowledge to meet increasing customer expectations. Over the past few years, the level of skills amongst retail managers has been consistently identified as an area of concern.
- Skillsmart Retail Works Skillsmart Retail Works is the industry standard pre-employment programme for the retail sector. It is a flexible training scheme which prepares learners new to the sector by giving them the knowledge to progress through interviews and to start a career in retail. It has been designed to provide those who may be out of work, or who work in a different sector, with the vital skills they need to confidently apply for and secure a job in retail. Skillsmart Retail Works provides retailers with employees with the skills, commitment and basic knowledge to work in retail, right from the start.
