Top retail and logistics businesses today pledged their support for the Diploma in Retail Business in a bid to boost the skills of young recruits.
Tesco, House of Fraser, Spar and DHL today confirmed plans to offer work placements to students in areas teaching the new course for 14- 19-year-olds from September.
The need for action on young people’s skills was highlighted today when a survey carried out for Skillsmart Retail revealed that a third of retailers believe young people do not have the experience or attitudes that their businesses need.
More than 600 retailers of varying sizes throughout the UK were asked what qualities, skills and attributes were lacking in younger job applicants.
A third stated that they did not have either relevant experience in retail (33%) or the right attitude to work (33%), and more than a quarter reported that they lacked self motivation and initiative (27%) and customer handling ability (28%).
Many of the skills that were found to be lacking will be taught as part of the Diploma in Retail Business.
The new qualification, which was developed with significant input from employers, will run alongside GCSEs and A Levels for the first time in 55 selected areas from September this year and will be available to every 14- 19-year-old in England by 2013.
As well as studying the retail business and its supply chain, 14- 16-year-olds will continue to study English, maths and science GCSEs, and all Diploma students will gain transferable skills, such as communication, team working and problem solving.
They will also be required to learn functional English, maths and IT in relation to retail and will carry out at least ten days of work experience as part of the programme.
This work experience part of the course was given a major boost today with the news of national employer support.
Representatives from the four businesses addressed an audience of national retailers at House of Fraser, Baker Street – outlining their involvement in the Diploma in a bid to encourage more businesses to support the qualification.
The companies involved said that their contribution will bring the course alive for students and help attract skilled young people into the sector.
Hayley Tatum, UK operations personnel director of Tesco said: “Tesco supports the opportunity for young people to gain valuable work experience while studying for a recognised qualification.
“As the largest private sector employer in the UK, Tesco will offer students the chance to develop and put into practice the key retail skills they have learnt on the course.”
Philip Marchant, corporate development director at Spar, said: “We are looking forward to receiving applications from motivated young people who we want to move into the retail industry.
“We want to accept those trainees who have a passion for retail and we recognise that this training is the ideal way to gain a real insight into the culture of retail organisations.”
The Diploma in Retail Business is just one of 17 new Diplomas which cover a range of industries and have attracted support from major companies including Microsoft, Severn Trent Water, British Gas and Wates Construction.
National retailers wishing to find out more about Diploma work experience should contact Fiona Stubbs, on Fiona.stubbs@skillsmartretail.com
Independent retailers should contact their local school or college, or for more information, go to www.diplomainretailbusiness.com
Source: Diploma in Retail Business
