Academic qualifications in Retail Management

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Academic qualifications inRetail Management
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Why?

• Over 2.5m people are employed in retailing in the
  UK
• Equivalent of more than 10 of total employees
• Many
• enter the profession with limited education or
  training
• find it difficult to develop skills to take them
  beyond relatively junior levels
• have the ability to contribute far more than they
  do...but need help to do so

• Developed in conjunction with Skillsmart and
  other professional bodies
• e.g. British Retail Consortium
• Provides a pathway for life-long learning
• Aimed at developing existing skills, increasing
  employee satisfaction and maximising their
  contribution to the workplace

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Model'Foundation' and 'Top-Up' Degree

• Foundation Degrees
• blend academic study and practical experience
• This one is
• delivered by Sheffield College
• an innovative design, delivered in partnership
  with employers
• aimed at equipping staff with relevant knowledge
  and skills for business
• validated by Sheffield Hallam University
• capable of being 'Topped-Up' to a full honours
  degree

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Delivery Part-Time"Flexible delivery to make it
easier to fit in around a job"

• The Retail Foundation Degree will be completed in
  3 years
• 3 study blocks per year
• Each block designed and timed to minimise
  disruption to peak trading periods
• Commences March 2008
• Is an award in its own right
• some candidates may decide to cease further study
  at this point
• Top-Up this qualification to a full Honours
  Degree in Retail Management in Retail Management
• further 2 years study
• 3 modules per year

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Course ContentFoundation Course

• Each year consists of 4 modules
• with class sessions used to introduce and discuss
  key concepts and theories
• 2 of the modules are work-based
• involving the use of the work place as the
  context for learning
• Module specific support will be provided via
  tutorial workshops
• which will be arranged at appropriate intervals
  during the semesters
• Modules include
• Operations Management Human Resource Management
  Customer Service Financial Resources Law

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Primary EligibilityFoundation

• Applicants
• must be employed within a retailing context at
  Junior Manager/Supervisor status.
• need to explain why they wish to study on the
  Degree and demonstrate a commitment to a career
  in Retail
• should show how they will balance a working life
  with the demands of the course
• Tutors are looking for
• enthusiasm
• a breadth and depth of interests
• evidence that the decision to study Retail has
  been made with care
• examples of team working, leadership skills and
  acceptance of responsibility

A level 3 qualification will normally be required
for entry onto the programme however mature
applicants who can demonstrate that they have the
potential to be successful may be accepted on to
the programme without any formal level 3
qualifications.
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"Typical" candidates Applicant A

• Left school at 16 with GCSEs
• including Maths and English.
• Started working for a national
  business on the shop
  floor
• shelf stacking.
• Studied towards NVQ
  Level 1
  - 3 qualifications
• in Retail/Customer Service.
• Now 22, working as a Junior
  Manager in a local
  branch
• having been promoted internally.
• Latest appraisal has indicated that to progress
  further in the organisation they not only need
  the experience but they also need a Degree in a
  related subject

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"Typical" candidates Applicant B

• Started working for a retailer after school
• gradually worked their way up the promotional
  ladder.
• Left work to start a family
• now decided to return to work but has to start at
  a lower level than they were at when they left.
• Faced with updating their skills and knowledge of
  current retailing systems / practices
• to compete with the current new intake into the
  organisation

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"Typical" candidates Applicant C

• Left school with no, or very few, qualifications.
• Has been promoted up through the managerial
  ladder
• where they now hold a senior position within the
  organisation
• Is happy with their current situation and has no
  plans to seek further promotion
• but is looking for Personal and or Professional
  Development opportunities

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BenefitsIndividual and Organisational

• Provides a vehicle for people to take control of
  their own career potential
• Develops understanding, knowledge and skill
  levels
• Demonstrates career commitment to employers
• Demonstrates capabilities to employers

• Compliments existing in-house training programmes
• Taps into staff self-motivation and improves
  staff capability levels
• Gives employees exposure to the latest thinking
• Allows input and direction into the work based
  learning activities

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Fundamentals(Foundation)

• Costs
• Fees are currently 660 p.a.
• Financial help may be available of up to 1,125.
  Eligibility is dependent on circumstances see
  www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
• Attendance
• 2 days per month and
• 2 evenings per month
• With fortnightly personal tutorial sessions
• held before evening classes

• Assessment
• All work-based modules will be assessed by
  coursework.
• e.g. portfolio building, report writing, case
  study work, oral presentations and the completion
  of work books.
• All other modules are assessed by coursework and
  examination

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Further Details...

• Foundation Degree
• from March 2008
• Further information
• Tel [phone]
• Liam Sloan liam.sloan_at_sheffcol.ac.uk
• Fiona Charlesworth fiona.charlesworth_at_sheffcol.ac.
  uk

• Top-Up Degree
• from September 2008
• Further information
• Tel [phone]
• Andy Cropper a.cropper_at_shu.ac.uk

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Questions?
"So, that's what we can offer, we can see the
benefits to both employees and employers but how
can we ensure that both the individuals and the
companies take advantage of it?"