ARA offers free training

NATIONAL: The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is doing its bit for the skills shortage plaguing the industry by offering free retail training opportunities. Using funding available under the Federal Government's Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), the program offers free training to industry newcomers as well as on-the-job training.

ARA Retail Institute director Garry Terrill said after an initial 10 days of training, participants commence their first week with a host employer. The focus then shifts to trainers obtaining feedback from the employers to refine the participant's skills in the classroom. Terrill said participants go through the process three times before completing the course to address "recurring performance issues".

"By combining classroom and on-the-job training, the free eight-week retail certificate course produces job-ready candidates for retail businesses signing up to the program as host employers. Host employers work together with ARA trainers to develop participants providing them with vital industry skills."

Terrill said the industry was experiencing a severe deficit in skilled talent and the program was needed to attract new blood to the industry.

Anyone wishing to sign up as a host employer is advised to contact the ARA Retail Institute directly.