Innovative training program to help staff from major national retailers and small business

5/11/96

Staff from major national retailers K-Mart, Just Jeans, Dymocks and small business, have taken part in an innovative training program which helped them to gain nationally recognised qualifications while working.

The program used the staff's experience and skills to gain formal qualifications, opening up future career opportunities.

Employment and Training Minister Norman Moore said the flexible approach to training was based on the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Mr Moore said 48 course graduates were to be presented with their Certificates in Retailing during a ceremony at the Carine TAFE campus tonight.

Additionally, 31 of the participants would also be awarded an Advanced Certificate in Retailing and 10 would be granted an Associate Diploma of Business (Retailing).

Mr Moore praised the program, conducted by the North Metropolitan College of TAFE and funded by the Australian National Training Authority, which benefited employees, employers and training providers alike.

"This project is part of the vocational education and training sector's continuing goal to provide flexible, responsive and relevant training," he said.

"It is clear that there are a large number of people working on a full or part-time basis within the retail sector with sufficient skills and knowledge to be awarded qualifications.

"These qualifications are recognised nationally and internationally and will assist participants in their future careers."

Mr Moore said the RPL model created for the program was useful across all positions, from staff on the shop floor through to managers, and catered both for workers in small operations and large national retailers.

The program involved developing a model for the recognition of retail skills based on a self-assessment manual and a manual for assessors.

Self-assessment manuals were then sent to 65 participants from a range of retailers, the majority from three major national firms - K-Mart, Just Jeans and Dymocks.

On completion by participants, the manuals were examined by qualified workplace assessors against national retail competency standards. Once assessors were satisfied, people were issued with certificates.

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 321 1444 or 222 9595