Qualification in retail goes online

Qualification in retail goes online

One of the most popular training programmes for retail businesses can now be completed entirely online, giving businesses even more choice in when, where and how their staff can upskill. It also delivers to retailers of any size the online training benefits that many large chains already enjoy.

“Traditionally, the seven month on job programme that leads to the award of a Certificate in Retail Level 2, has involved employees working through a series of workbooks, with the regular assessments being sent through the post for approval,” says ServiceIQ CEO Dean Minchington. “Moving the programme entirely online has eliminated this time-costly process, with some people able to complete the training in as little as four months if they wish.

“Online learning has brought a raft of other enhancements over pen and paper, including the use of video, immediate interactive feedback, and the ability for the learner, their supervisor and the person assessing achievement to engage and answer questions. All of these make the learning more engaging for many people. Online learning doesn’t suit every person or every business, so the paper-based programme will continue in parallel with this initiative. There is no difference in cost either, so businesses can freely choose the system that will be most effective for them.

“ServiceIQ and online partner RedSeed have invested around two years of work to bring this programme to any screen near you,” says Minchington.

RedSeed Managing Director Anya Anderson says there has been a lot of man hours logged to get this course live. “Because of the differences between delivering a paper-based course and an online solution, a key focus for both parties has been refining the existing course to match seamlessly to a high-end online learning experience.

“We believe in the learning process, not in information delivery, so the pedagogy of our training is critical because it transfers information in a way that engages the trainee, changes behaviour, and creates a sustained culture of sales, and service in any retail business.

“The key difference to the content is that a majority of it will be video-based, which is in line with the way RedSeed currently delivers our own retail training programmes. All styles have been considered. Video learning has been combined with long-answer questions to ensure trainees apply themselves, along with multi-choice review questions and drag and drop style activities to quickly confirm retention of skills,” Anderson notes.

“Having staff complete this proven and nationally recognised programme means you can be assured that they’ve been trained to a high standard and have the skills they need to help your business make sales and satisfy customers,” Dean Minchington.

“What’s more, your staff will know that you’re serious about them and their retail careers because they will receive a nationally recognised certificate once they’ve successfully completed the programme.”

Retailers wanting to get ahead of the competition and give their staff key skills that cover customer service techniques, product knowledge, theft and fraud prevention, customer complaints, legislation, stock control, visual merchandising and more should contact ServiceIQ on 0800 863 693. There is more on the ServiceIQ website ServiceIQ.org.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media