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 UKs largest private sector employer with 2.8million employees and a £325bn turnover There are approximately 189,000 retail businesses in the UK 86% of these businesses employ fewer than 10 people The 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 2

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 3

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 4

Developing the business plan 2007/2008 Set up a shadow Board 1 Contract Sept 2008 Full Board in place 2 Launch April skills shops in place 3 Sept 2008 Year 1 Development of processes and procedures, developing the network 4 Sept 2009 Year 2 Developing products and services for the skills shops to deliver 5 Sept 2010 Year 3 Working with the Nations for UK wide coverage 6 Sept 2011 Year 4 Out of development funding, delivering across the UK, additional contracts Formed an Advisory Board 7 Sept 2012 the start of Year 5 UK wide offer and delivering the vision Opportunity for Growth and Development New Home with People 1st OUR JOURNEY 5

English skills shop network Scottish skills shop network Northern Ireland skills shop network Welsh skills shop network 4

WHAT IS A RETAIL SKILLS SHOP? Led by local colleges and training organisationsLed 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 stakeholders including retailers, Job Centre Plus, LAs Town Centre PartnershipsBased on a partnership of sector and local community stakeholders including retailers, Job Centre Plus, LAs Town Centre Partnerships Created through local demandCreated through local demand Premises based in or near the local shopping centre or high street providing a walk-in one-stop shop for retail skillsPremises based in or near the local shopping centre or high street providing a walk-in one-stop shop for retail skills Members of the National Skills Academy for RetailMembers of the National Skills Academy for Retail 7

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 8

NSA FOR RETAIL CHAMPIONS 9

WHO DO WE WORK WITH Debenhams TK Maxx ALDIA F Blakemore RymanAIS The Entertainer Yeomans Store Twentyone Miss Sixty Cartridge WorldSelect Retail Crown PaintsMidland Co-op RepublicInterserve 10

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 11

THE CORE OFFER Finding and recruiting the right people The Retail Ambassador Programme Supported by: 12

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 13

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 14

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 15

DELIVERING LOCALLY TOWN CENTRE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME A package of business support and training which can help town centres 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. 16

MORE INFORMATION 17 For more information about The National Skills Academy for Retail visit: Or contact Jane Rexworthy