Despite whispers of a skills shortage in the sector, new research has found that Australians choose a first job in retail over any other industry.
Australians choose a first job in retail over any other sector, according to a fresh study conducted by the Australian National Retailers Association has found.
The independent online survey of 1,000 Australians aged 18 and over found that 22 per cent of respondents’ first jobs were in the retail sector, with the next most popular sectors being finance and insurance, and manufacturing (both eight per cent).
Commenting on the results, ANRA CEO Margy Osmond said the figures indicate that retail in particular is a vital training ground for the nation’s workforce.
“The numbers increase in younger adults, with 28 per cent saying their first job was in retail. This is consistent with the ANRA membership, with third of their 500,000- strong workforce under 25,” she said.
“We asked people what skills they learned at their first job, and it seems that the retail sector really does ‘train the nation’.”
Osmond reported that the most popular responses from respondents when asked what skills they learnt working in retail, were:
1. Customer service
2. Punctuality
3. Responsibility
4. How to work as part of a team
5. Working under pressure
Other notable skills nominated included initiative, financial responsibility, basic business skills and numeracy, according to Osmond.
She added that that the flexibility of working in retail is also an important factor for those studying.
“All these skills are vital to future success in the workforce, and as the leading employer of young people, the retail sector is making a major contribution.
“We found that just over a third of respondents said they were studying for a qualification or degree at the same time as working in their first job. This proportion rose to 57 per cent of 18-24 year olds, showing that more students than ever are working to support themselves through study.
“The research shows that while many Australians get their first start in retail, it continues to be a major employer beyond that first job. Retail was the number one current employer across the board for our respondents (seven per cent), followed by health and community services (six per cent), finance and insurance (five per cent) and manufacturing and personal services (both also five per cent).
“Retail continues to play a crucial role both in training the nation’s workforce and driving Australia’s economy. While it’s easy to take aim at the ‘big’ retailers, their contribution should be acknowledged,” Osmond said.