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Retail Training Excellence
Thursday 17 July 2008
An exciting new era of retail training excellence is heralded today as the government announces approval of the sector’s own National Skills Academy (NSA). The go-ahead for the National Skills Academy for Retail, announced by Skills Minister David Lammy MP, will now see the creation of a network of Skills Shops across the UK offering world class training and business support to all retailers, their employees and those seeking retail careers.
Developed by Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for Retail, in partnership with retailers and property developers, the NSA for Retail will produce a step-change in training to create a substantial pool of highly motivated, work-ready employees.
Announcing the approval Mr Lammy hailed the NSA for Retail's addition to the UK’s skills network in a `vitally important’ sector. He says: `The Retail Academy will play a pivotal role in helping to ensure the existing and future workforce has the right skills to meet the challenges facing the sector.'
The approval has been welcomed by leading retailers and developers including Ian Cheshire, CEO of Kingfisher, which operates B&Q. He says: `The NSA’s approval is very good news. Our sector is looking for better skilled staff and the NSA will help create a solid supply of work-ready people. It will also raise the profile of retailing skills to convey their importance and give retail a lot more visibility nationally. We will be looking to work with the NSA to identify how and where we can fill any training gaps.’
Chair of the NSA board Juan Pemberton, Head of Recruitment, Learning and Development at Marks & Spencer, says the NSA will give retail recruits a head start to success. `Its great strength is that it will give expert training that is integrated and consistent nationwide yet tailored to specific local retail needs, enabling us to get the most from our people in our increasingly competitive sector.’
The NSA is expected to launch in February 2009. Its Skills Shop network will be formed by the amalgamation of country’s 30 existing, independent outlets with around 40 new ones, to open in phases over the next few years.
The Skills Shops will be located in high streets and shopping centres and offer core services including pre-employment training, qualifications, courses, advice, placements, work experience and store management programmes for anyone interested in joining or progressing further in retail. They will also offer support to small retailers.
Most will be walk-in centres but a few will operate "virtually". Each will be operated individually by local partnerships of retailers, developers, training providers and other agencies including job centres. A small NSA central function will coordinate, support and link the network, share best practice and establish consistent standards nationally. The network will provide opportunities for learning and qualifications for retail’s 290,000 businesses and three million employees.
NSA board member Denis Carruthers, Director of Shopping Centre Management & Marketing for developers Westfield, says: `NSA Skills Shops will forge stronger bonds with retailers and enable the sharing of good practice to mutual benefit. But the payoff will come by producing a new generation of able recruits who will give retail the bright new image it deserves as a professional, rewarding career.’
His board colleague Paul Edwards, Head of Sustainability at Hammerson, adds: 'Education and training is central to the long term commercial success of retail led development and just as importantly, integration and collaboration with existing communities. We’re keen to ensure that retail is seen as a positive long term career choice and this is a positive step in ensuring all partners work together to promote a skilled retail workforce across the UK.'
Meanwhile Jane Rexworthy, the NSA for Retail Project Director, says: `Retailers want to offer a world-class sales experience to customers. The NSA for Retail will support them - whatever their size, wherever they are - in developing the best possible skills.’
For further information please contact McKenna Campaigns, Skillsmart Retail’s National Skills Academy PROs: Andrew McKenna, tel 01962 793007; mobile 07748 793041; or Carol McKenna, tel 01962 793003; mobile 07979 805169. Jane Rexworthy, Project Director, can be contacted on 07795 962450 or at jane.rexworthy@skillsmartretail.com
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