Up a LevelThe Learning Shop, Bluewater
About The Learning Shop
The Learning Shop is a par tnership between Lend Lease, the developer’s of Bluewater, Nor th West Kent College and Jobcentre Plus. The concept of The Learning Shop is unique; it brings together the excellence of private sector creativity, innovation, workforce development and quality Further Education.
The Learning Shop is at the forefront of lifelong learning activity in Kent, promoting a positive learning culture and improving business performance through increased learning and job opportunities.
The Learning Shop at Bluewater Shopping Centre (located at The Village (upper), overlooking the West Lakes) – is a founder member of the National Skills Academy for Retail; a Government-backed network of training centres designed to increase productivity in the sector.
For further information call the Learning Shop direct on 01322 624455
Training programmes & short courses
The Learning Shop has a proven track record in delivering quality training programmes dealing with all aspects of the retail industry.
Listed below is just a sample of programmes that are available:
- Retail Works – pre-employment programme. Designed to deliver essential skills necessary for those that have never worked in the Retail industry before.
- Retail Ambassador Training – bringing together the strategy to encourage young people to study vocational qualification in retail and consider a career in the sector with Retail employees championing the program and industry.
- NVQs in Customer Service, Team Leading, Distribution & Warehousing, Business Administration.
- ESOL/adult literacy and numeracy.
- Store management programs – short courses covering a variety of business needs and topics.
- Certificate in Retail Principles – these mandatory modules will allow the learner to diversify to specialist areas within retail.
- Retail Diploma - to be introduced 2010.
Retail Short courses
- Master Classes There are a range of courses written by Mary Portas – raising awareness of best practice, improving performance, productivity and competing successfully on the high street.
- Visual merchandising
- Security
- Retail customer service
- Retail operations
Essential training courses will include:
- Health and Safety Awareness in a retail environment
- First Aid Appointed person
- Manual handling
- Food safety
- Fire Warden training
- Accident reporting and investigation
- Environmental awareness in the work place
- COSHH
- Work related stress management
- Understanding and preventing violence and aggression
- Responsible alcohol retailing
Our service to the employer
Retail is the largest private sector employer in the UK, employing three million people and creating more new jobs over the last five years than any other sector.
Yet, despite its dominance, the industry has some serious challenges ahead to develop an appropriately skilled workforce and promote the diverse range of career options it offers. Skillsmart Retail plays an important role in meeting those challenges.
Retailers are often affected by a number of common factors when it comes to skills and training; there isn’t always time or resource to release staff to develop their skills and frequently there isn’t an available budget allocated to support such activities. We work to support the needs of retailers by influencing provision delivery for practical and affordable training solutions, all of which are aimed at providing real value to the business, whether it’s increasing productivity, improving staff retention or reducing wastage.
Our Business and Training advisors based at The Learning Shop, Bluewater, will help you identify training needs that will benefit your business.
Our service to the employee
Retail is one of the most diverse and exciting industries you could make a career in. This section of the site gives you an insight into the wealth of options on offer.
It doesn’t matter if you are working on the shop floor of a busy operations department or par t of a head office management team, retail offers all its employees many opportunities to progress up the ladder and qualify their skills. Here are a few pointers that could help you get on:
Apprenticeships - This work-based learning programme is ideal for the shop floor and has been grabbing the headlines recently, not least TV Dragon, Theo Paphitis, who has become the Skillsmart Retail’s Retail Apprentice’s Champion.
Knowledge-based Qualifications - These awards are designed to help employees from all backgrounds and at all levels develop knowledge and skills in crucial areas of business – making a real difference to the bottom line. There are seven certificates available: Visual Merchandising, Security in a Retail Environment, Product Range Planning, Serving Customers in the Retail Environment, Monitor Retail Operations, Marketing, Legislation for the Retail Environment. These demonstrate your skills and knowledge to your employer, as well as your commitment to progressing.
Management Training Schemes - If you have been working in retail for a while and have relevant experience, you will be interested to know that we have a range of Management Programmes available.
Our Business and Training team will help you identify skills to enhance your existing skill base to secure a career in Retail.
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The Learning Shop provides up to date training delivered by professional and committed staff utilising superb facilities in unrivalled surroundings. An exceptional range of Information and Communications Technology offers stimulating resources for network databases, on-line learning materials, advice, guidance and support. |
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The Learning Shop is open 6 days each week.
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The Learning Shop Tel: 01322 624455 |
