A major card retailer has overhauled its in-house training in a bid to dispel the myth that the retail industry simply provides part-time work or a career stop-gap. The Clinton Cards Group has launched a nationally accredited staff training programme, to coincide with National Apprenticeship week beginning today, which gives employees the chance to gain a nationally recognised qualification through a bespoke training scheme. The EDI-accredited Retail Diploma, NVQ and apprenticeship programme forms part of a move by the retailer, which employs thousands of staff across 700 UK stores, to raise the profile of retailing. Employees can opt for either of three qualifications depending on their skills and career progression wishes. Speaking to Personnel Today, HR director Annette Middlebrook said the group had, for many years, provided in-house training that ran in tandem with the opportunity for employees to study an NVQ and achieve a vocational qualification. “When we evaluated this we felt it was no longer fit for purpose and did not deliver the consistency of learning that we were striving to achieve,” she explained. “We redesigned the programme and enlisted the support of both Protocol Skills, our NVQ provider, and EDI, accredited awarding body, to map the company’s bespoke programme with national retail NVQs and the Retail Apprenticeship.” “This now gives us the opportunity to offer work-based learning to a nationally recognised qualification that is designed by us – so completely focused on the needs of our people and our business, adding real value to both, and helping deliver consistently high quality customer service in our stores.” Middlebrook added that the initiative would play a significant part in attracting and keeping valued employees and said it would help to raise the profile of retail as a career.
