Staff at Brown Thomas, in Cork, recently took part in a pilot programme offered by IBEC Retail Skillnet to introduce Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) into the retail sector.

10 experienced staff in the Cork store were chosen to participate in this new and innovative scheme. They completed a programme of work, including development of a portfolio which highlighted their knowledge, skills and experience gained in the sector over the years, focusing on the area of Retail Customer Service.

All 10 candidates were successful in achieving their FETAC Level 5 Retail Customer Service Award through RPL. The programme was assessed by an IBEC Retail Skillnet Regional Assessor and was supported instore by Barry O’Sullivan and the H.R. team.

Barry O’Sullivan, Brown Thomas, said “What this programme has done for us is rekindle the passion that we have for offering 5*service and establishing our customer’s needs, it is driven by the desire to create an environment where the customer feels special”.

He added “The staff loved the whole programme, it added extra excitement to the floor and it made people realise, and be proud of, what they do well. There is roughly 250 years of retail experience on the floor and what this RPL programme has done for us is made us aware we know the business”.