Go Retail!
With New Career and Training Initiatives
Three new initiatives launched this fall by the NRF Foundation,
the research and education arm of the National Retail Federation
(Washington), are promoting the diversity of retail career opportunities
available to people of all ages.
The foundation expanded its Retail Skills Centers, developed
entry-level sales, service and management training, and produced
a DVD about different careers available in retail as part
of its Career Currency initiative, RetaiLearning Leadership
initiative and career awareness campaign—funded by more
than $5 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Designated Retail Skills Center hubs offer employer-driven
services and curricula, demonstrate e-learning resources,
provide technical assistance to new and existing skills center
sites, host workshops for other sites, and provide leadership
for existing and emerging sales and customer service training
programs.
“Our hubs play an integral role in expanding the awareness
of and access to the Workforce Investment System and our Retail
Skills Centers,” said Kathy Mance, vice president of
the NRF Foundation. “With strong support from the Department
of Labor and our various partners, we have been able to improve
the quality of training in customer service, sales and management
offered, but also to assist tens of thousands of talented
individuals in beginning retail careers.”
Since the first one opened in 1997, Retail Skills Centers
have served more than 53,000 individuals. Twenty centers,
including 12 developed with the recent Department of Labor
grant, are operating today. Skills centers offer orientations,
skill assessments, customized training for employers, specialized
classes focusing on sales and service in retail, job fairs
and recruitment events.
The RetaiLearning Leadership initiative—supported by
the Department of Labor and retail partners including Saks
Inc., The Home Depot, CVS/pharmacy and Toys “R”
Us Inc.—includes training and curricula for entry-level
sales, service and supervisory workers. Training is offered
in an e-learning format and can be blended with other learning
formats, such as coaching verifications and practice scenarios
specific to an industry.
As part of a separate career awareness grant, the NRF Foundation
and representatives from the retail industry produced the
“Go Retail!” DVD, a six-minute video featuring
messages from major retail executives and corporate employees
designed to inspire interest in long-term retail careers.
The video is available for download at no cost at www.nrf.com/goretail.
[December 2006 PET AGE]
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