October 2012

THE NATIONAL SKILLS ACADEMY FOR RETAIL

Delivering quality in Vocational Education and Training

WHY SET UP THE NSA FOR RETAIL: KEY FACTS

• The retail sector is the UK’s largest private sector employer with 2.8million employees and a £325bn turnover  

• There are approximately 189,000 retail businesses in the UK86% of these businesses employ fewer than 10 peopleThe number of people employed in UK retail is forecast to increase by 6% between 2007 and 2017

• The Local Data Company states that 14.6% of outlets are now vacant

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GOVERNANCE

• Not for Profit organisation and a wholly owned subsidiary of People 1st led by a Retail Advisory Board:

– Retailers including M&S & JLP & Boots

– Other members: Association of Town and City Management, British Council of Shopping Centres, skills shops and Shopping Centre Developers.

• Regional Skills Shop Members’ forum

• National Skills Shop Chairs’ Forum

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VISION

Driving up skills in retail

Within five years create a national network of up to 70 retail skills shops which: 

• Provide access to world-class skills and business support for retailers whatever their size, wherever they are located

• Lead the drive for professional rewarding careers and skills development for everyone who works in retail

• Create a consistent national approach for training and skills in the UK's largest private industry sector

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OUR JOURNEY

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English skills shop network

Scottish skills shop network

Northern Ireland skills shop network

Welsh skills shop network

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WHAT IS A RETAIL SKILLS SHOP?

• Led by local colleges and training organisations Led by local colleges and training organisations

• Specialising in high quality retail deliverySpecialising in high quality retail delivery

• Based on a partnership of sector and local community Based on a partnership of sector and local community stakeholders including retailers, Job Centre Plus, LA’s stakeholders including retailers, Job Centre Plus, LA’s Town Centre PartnershipsTown Centre Partnerships

• Created through local demand Created through local demand

• Premises based in or near the local shopping centre or Premises based in or near the local shopping centre or high street providing a walk-in one-stop shop for retail high street providing a walk-in one-stop shop for retail skillsskills

• Members of the National Skills Academy for RetailMembers of the National Skills Academy for Retail

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ACHIEVEMENTS

• 53 skills shops - UK wide

• Over 50,000 individuals benefiting from the NSA for Retail offer 

• 400 retail ambassadors

• Overall satisfaction level 96%

• Exclusive National Skills Academy for Retail programmes – Master classes and WorldHost and Retail Ambassador programme

• Rising Star award categories for NSA for Retail

• Recently secured and negotiating funding for:

– RATA- Retail Apprenticeship Training Agency

– EIF – Pre Apprenticeship programme

– SPFP – Town intervention

– EOF – Employer Ownership funding

– SFA – Commission brokerage pilot

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NSA FOR RETAIL CHAMPIONS

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WHO DO WE WORK WITH

Debenhams TK Maxx

ALDI A F Blakemore

Ryman AIS

The Entertainer Yeomans

Store Twentyone Miss Sixty

Cartridge World Select Retail

Crown Paints Midland Co-op

Republic Interserve

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THE CORE OFFER

Finding and recruiting the right people

• Information, advice and guidance

• Retail Works pre employment programme

• Pre apprenticeship training – link to traineeships

• Retail Apprenticeship Training Agency

“90% of Retail Works’ learners we recruited for our new John Lewis Department store at Highcross, Leicester are still in employment with us 18 months later.”

Store Manager, John Lewis, Highcross, Leicester

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THE CORE OFFER

Finding and recruiting the right people

• The Retail Ambassador Programme

Supported by:

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THE CORE OFFER

Developing the retail skills of existing employees

• Skills for Work and ESOL

• Job-related qualifications:

Retail Skills and Retail Knowledge

• Retail Apprenticeships

• Short courses e.g.

Staying Compliant

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THE CORE OFFER

Developing customer service excellence in retail

• WorldHost customer service retail training

• Three tailored programmes to raise customer service levels and sales performance from retail assistant level, all the way to shop floor management

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THE CORE OFFER

Raising skills levels for independent retailers

• The Guide to Successful Retailing inspired by Mary Portas

• Three master classes covering topics such as business planning, buying, merchandising, marketing, selling, customer service and staff development

• Business Mentoring in partnership with Grey4Gold

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DELIVERING LOCALLY “TOWN CENTRE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME”

A package of business support and training which can help town centre’s become more successful and sustainable. This consists of a number of tried and tested support services, including:

•Providing intelligence - Location model

•Training

•Business support

•Unemployment solutions.

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MORE INFORMATION

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For more information about

The National Skills Academy for Retail

visit:

www.nsaforretail.com

Or contact Jane Rexworthy

Jane.rexworthy@nsaforretail.com