Latest News

ssr-logo-blackgrey-pos-tm.gif
 

Skillsmart Retail is a not-for-profit organisation, set up and partially funded by Government to identify and address skills needs, raise the profile of UK retail to secure influence and funding, and engage with retailers to attract people into a career in the sector.

Run by retailers for retailers, Skillsmart Retail operates under licence to the Department for Education and Skills and is part of the Skills for Business Network.

Basic skills in literacy, language and numeracy ensure that every employee can function effectively and reach their full potential at work. A lack of these basic competencies has been proven to increase wastage and absenteeism, lower productivity and reduce workforce retention.

Approximately three million adults working in England have poor levels of literacy, and nine million have poor levels of numeracy. These figures cannot fail to have a direct effect on all UK retailers’ profitability, as the sector currently holds one of the worst records for competency levels in basic skills. For those in the retail workplace, literacy, language and numeracy needs are key to their ability to do their job and to their abilty to improve their performance in terms of responsibility and salary.

Each of the four nations in the UK recognises that poor literacy, language and numeracy must be tackled. To that end, each country has developed its own strategy.

  • In England the Government has introduced Skills for Life
  • Wales has their National Basic Skills Strategy, which is run through the Basic Skills Agency
  • Scotland’s strategy is outlined in Skills for Scotland: A Skills Strategy for a Competitive Scotland
  • In Northern Ireland there is the Essential Skills for Living – Strategy and Action Plan

The UK nations are investing considerable resources in each of their strategies. This takes many forms such as providing free training to individuals, raising the quality of basic skills teaching, and developing materials.Skillsmart Retail has a dedicated resource to engage with employers and providers to ensure that awareness around these issues is raised, training is pertinent and that employers and individuals have the most up-to-date information about types of training and funding.

Key people in this sector are: 

  • Jayne Norman: Skills coordinator, literacy, numeracy, ESOL and ICT
  • Beverley Paddey: Workforce development manager.

For more information visit: www.skillsmartretail.com.

For specific case studies related to your industry, have a look at this pack; there is a supporting folder available for this pack.