About IBEC Retail Skillnet

Described as “a major milestone for retailing” by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, IBEC Retail Skillnet delivers training to retail staff around the country. It started as a pilot project in the North West, when a group of retailers got together to see how they could develop the skills of their workers. The programme was so successful that it was launched nationally in 2004 by An Tanaiste, Mary Harney.

 

The IBEC Retail Skillnet programme is now delivering results right across the indigenous retail sector, from small pharmacies and shops, to many of the symbol store operators, such as Londis and SuperValu and department stores like Shaws, Arnotts and McElhinneys.

The IBEC Retail Skillnet programme has been developed to address the needs of those operating in the Retail Sector. Consequently a broad cross section of retail operators have been brought together to form a Network which is representative of the sector. This Network of retailers, with the help of IBEC Retail Skillnet, identified needs within their sector and approved the development of National Training Modules to address these needs.

IBEC Retail Skillnet developed a range of Training modules which now form the National Standards for Retailers in Ireland and these standards have been ratified and approved by the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC). On successful completion of each module candidates are awarded a FETAC Level 5 Qualification. These Qualifications are Nationally and Internationally recognised at Level 5 within the National Framework of Qualifications. 

IBEC Retail Skillnet provide a training resource with each module and training takes place in the workplace. The training is delivered by IBEC Retail Skillnet trained Assessors. The Assessor training is provided by IBEC Retail Skillnet and on successful completion of training the Assessors receive their Assessor Award. The Assessor Award is FETAC approved at Level 6 within the National Framework of Qualifications.


Pat Delaney, the former Director of the Small Firms Association and now IBEC Director for Regions, praised the IBEC Retail Skillnet initiative. He recognised the need for training in the Retail sector, particularly in light of the ever increasing competition which retailers contend with daily. He said:

 “Companies who invest in their staff are the ones who survive when the going gets tough.”

 

He added that the training is affordable, regardless of the size or nature of the business, and this presents a new opportunity for small indigenous retailers to upskill their staff. This may help them to remain competitive in a fast moving and dynamic sector.

We cater for all sizes of businesses

IBEC Retail Skillnet delivers work based training to companies large and small. Our training programme can be delivered in any retail business, from the small, owner managed operations, to the large independent retailers such as Shaws or multiples like Hughes and Hughes Booksellers.

The training has been developed by retailers for retailers. The training is delivered in the workplace, at a time and a pace that suits the retailer. The IBEC Retail Skillnet training programme currently consists of a suite of ten modules. The modules provide upskilling for staff in the following areas:

  • Retail Customer Service
  • Retail Security
  • Retail Stock Control
  • Retail Merchandising
  • Retail Payment Procedures
  • Effective Working Relationships
  • Retail Selling Skills
  • Retail Communications
  • Work Experience
  • Safety and Health at Work

The in store training is supported by IBEC Retail Skillnet staff at Head Office and consultants working in various regions throughout the country. 

Retail Ireland Endorsement

Retail Ireland is a group comprising of a large number of the Key players on the Irish retail scene, including department stores, major supermarket groups, symbol stores and other specialist retailers.

The Director of Retail Ireland, Torlach Denihan recently highlighted some of the key issues facing retailers such as high and ever increasing operating costs, the burden of regulation, staff training and development, the importance of a customer centred approach in modern retailing.

Retail Ireland have endorsed the IBEC Retail Skillnet initiative and indeed have stated that:

 “These national  qualifications are an efficient, low cost training solution for all retail operators”.

 

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IBEC Retail Skillnet is funded by member companies and the Training Networks Programme, an initiative of Skillnets Ltd. funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment