Sector Information: Retail

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The Learning Agreement provides an opportunity for both businesses and 16–17 year olds to benefit from achieving accredited training.

It offers young people working in Retail a wide range of qualifications to choose from.

Your Learning Agreement Keyworker will arrange an assessment of the young person’s current skills to determine the most appropriate level of qualification for them.

Understanding the levels

Employees work towards a vocational qualification at a level to match their current skills:

Entry level qualifications are usually taken by employees with a range of skill development requirements.

Level 1 qualifications are usually taken by those who work under direct supervision.

Level 2 qualifications are taken by employees who are able to work independently.

Level 3 qualifications are taken by employees who may be ready to supervise others.

NVQs
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are work-related, competence-based qualifications. They reflect the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively and demonstrate that a candidate is competent in the area of work the NVQ represents.

Your employee is likely to spend some time in training with a provider, but most of the skills will be developed and assessed in the workplace, eg; in a small newsagent, electrical shop or large clothing outlet..

In Retail, the skills developed may include processing orders, preparing products for sale, customer services and display skills.
Each Retail NVQ builds on practical skills and the employee is assessed through on-the-job observation, questioning and
building a file of evidence. NVQs are offered at Levels 1, 2 and 3 but at Levels 2 and 3 only as part of an apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships involve taking the chosen NVQ at Level 2, but also taking Key Skills in Communications, Information Technology and Numeracy. These are essential skills for confident and competent employees.
Apprentices also work on their team building skills and develop the skills necessary to assess their own performance. Each apprenticeship is designed by a sector skills council; a body representing the requirements of employers. Apprentices also take a Technical Certificate.

Technical Certificates
Technical Certificates provide the knowledge base for a workplace skill.

They are usually taken as part of an apprenticeship but can be taken as separate certificates. In the Learning Agreement your employee has the opportunity to take a Key Skill alongside the certificate.

Key Skills and National Certificates
Young employees often have communication or numeracy skills that need improving.
The Learning Agreement supports the development of these important skills to maximise the ability of your employee and to meet the needs of your business.

If a young person does not already have the equivalent of a grade C or higher in English, Maths or IT they will have the opportunity of taking a Key Skill or National Certificate as part of their training.

Other vocational qualifications
There are a whole range of other qualifications available which do not require workplace assessment and which can develop your employees’ skills in a way which will enhance your business.

Contact your local office to arrange a meeting with a Keyworker to discuss the most appropriate training for your employee and your business requirements.