Prepare Youth for Careers in Retail

Industry-driven training and certification to prepare youth for careers
in Retail Sales and Customer Service

Career opportunities in retail are as diverse and creative as the industry itself, from large corporate entities with stores all over the world, to single-site entrepreneurial businesses. Forty percent of youth will get their first job in retail. With NRF Foundation's support, you can provide them with portable skills and help them prepare to turn that job into a career.

NRF Foundation will work with your program to implement a winning combination of youth-oriented training and credentials that will meet your WIA performance measures.

We offer a comprehensive program for instructors, in a Train-the-Trainer format, designed to educate participants and equip them for entry-level retail sales and customer service positions. This 120-180 program helps prepare candidates for both our professional certifications in customer service and sales. Cost begins at $6,000, for 10 instructors.

If you are interested in creating your own training program based on industry skill standards and using NRF Foundation curricula resources, recommendations include:

1. Start with the Retail Readiness Assessment.

This assessment evaluates critical customer service and sales skills, aptitudes and attitudes that help determine learners' strengths and weaknesses. Used as screening tool, this solution can help better target candidates' learning needs. Cost begins at $11.00 per assessment, plus a set-up fee.

2. Incorporate the Retailing Smarts Series Learner Workbooks.

These workbooks contain interactive role-playing scenarios and activities, and are based on industry skill standards. Books 1 to 4 assist in preparing candidates for the National Professional Certification in Customer Service. Books 5 to 8 help prepare candidates for the National Professional Certification in Sales. Leader's guides are available for facilitating group lessons. Cost begins at $12.95 per workbook.

3. Offer blended learning by integrating online learning courses.

Most NRF University wired courses can be completed in a few hours. The eLearning platform is complete with a robust learning management system (LMS), so you can easily track, monitor and report your learners' results. Cost begins at $40 per course, but prices vary. Recommended courses include:

• Solution Selling for Retail Associates - this course trains associates to approach customers as individuals, understand their needs and values, and create the best solution to match these needs and values. This proven model guides associates through the process of selling. The step-by-step system ensures a higher rate of success and a higher probability that the customer’s values will be met. It is about making a difference to the selling approach, a difference that will improve sales and customer relationships.
• Fundamentals of Retail Management - this suite of six courses is designed to engage a new Sales Manager or Assistant Manager, but it is also ideal for all Retail Managers who would like to learn and understand more about the retail business. Upon completion of the suite, you will be familiar with how the retail industry works and understand the areas of accountability for a Retail Manager. You will gain an understanding of how the role of manager impacts the success of a retail business. This suite will also be able to help you determine your level of interest in pursuing a career in retail management.

4. Administer professional certifications as a capstone.

The NRF Foundation credentials validate the knowledge and critical skills identified by the industry. The standards-based approach to building a common set of skills and knowledge establishes clear performance expectations and provides hiring managers assurance that candidates are prepared to succeed. Cost begins at $50 per certification, plus a set-up fee. NRFF professional certifications include:

Customer Service	Sales	Retail Management

Download a summary of all NRF Foundation training resources, curriculum products and assessments. For more information, contact: