Retail

The Retail industry is changing fast and retailers need to keep pace with these changes. Online shopping, chip and pin technology and 24/7 retail all require new training and we can fill that need. One in three retail employees have skill gaps and only one fifth of retail employees have received any training. Our centre aims to improve the workforce of the region and change the perception of retail from a fall-back option, to a first choice for a career.

At Leicester College, we offer flexible training that can be completed in the workplace and fitted around the busiest times of the retail calendar. The most important thing is to find employees with the right attributes.
Personality, drive and dedication are essential for the sector and our courses are designed to complement these.

Successful Training

David Illingworth - Store Director, Fenwick Leicester

Fenwick is a family-run department store, which is unique because all retail operations, from management through training, buying, IT and shop floor are all under the same roof. It shows a cross section of the retail industry and the progression available, which is usually divided between many different service centres, shops and offices.

David Illingworth, store director, said:

"There has been a massive gap in the skills market and we are very glad to see that a local college is offering these retail courses. Hopefully this will not only fill the skills gap, but also help to raise the profile of Retail as a viable career choice. Retail is the single biggest employer in the private sector and we are excited about the opportunities that these courses offer, and hopeful that more people will think of Retail when choosing a career to follow.

"As an employer, training our staff is important for morale, but it also helps with the retention of staff, who can sometimes drift away from Retail. This way, our staff can see that we value them and they are more likely to return that investment through their own hard work and loyalty.”