Retail benefits from new national occupational qualifications

Retail employers will soon be able to benefit from new national occupational qualifications which were approved for the retail sector yesterday.

These qualifications, which recognise an individualís competence in the workplace, were developed by the retail sector skills council Skillsmart Retail, in partnership with awarding bodies SQA, City & Guilds, OCR and EDI.

Developed in consultation with over 100 employers, the qualifications will be available from September 2006.

ìThe new occupational qualifications have been designed to meet the diverse needs of retailers and provide the sector with a competence-based framework which is both fit-for-purpose and easy to understand,î says Skillsmart Retail chief executive, Alan Roberts.

The qualifications have a core compulsory unit, ensuring that behaviours in the workplace meet employersí performance standards. The remaining units can be chosen from a comprehensive range of optional units, covering general duties, customer service and technical roles such as bakery or beauty consultancy.

To bridge the gap between level 2 and 3, pathways have been developed at level 3 to allow for progression. Occupational standards for visual merchandisers have also been included for the first time.