The biggest network of retail training centres ever seen in the UK will be unveiled today, with the nationwide launch of the National Skills Academy for Retail.
The retail sector currently employs 3 million people in the UK but 2009 saw the closure of 18 companies with the loss of 43,000 jobs. This equated to 1.3% of the retail workforce. At the same time, 39,500 new jobs have been announced so far this year by companies including Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco, H&M, Asda, Waitrose and Poundland. In fact, according to a report by UK Commission for Employment and Skills a potential requirement of around one million jobs that will need filling in the period up to 2017.
In response to the growing demand for a skilled workforce, some of retailâs biggest names â including âDragonsâ Denâ star Theo Paphitis, Mary âQueen of Shopsâ Portas, John Lewis Partnership Chairman Charlie Mayfield, Kingfisher Plc CEO Ian Cheshire as well as Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships Lord Young â gather in Londo...
