UK retailers fill training skills gap for increased motivation and productivity

British retailers are benefiting from more effective staff training through the use of the latest in skills gap analysis technology from York-based knowledge management specialist, MyKnowledgeMap (MKM) http://www.myknowledgemap.com/index.asp

Pre-loaded with core retail competencies, MKM's new Capability Matrix (See Editor Notes 1) system played a key role in the Retail Academy's (See Editor Notes 2) Pathways to Progression and Accreditation in the Retail Sector (RAPPARS) project.

Run jointly by the Retail Academy, the sector skills council Skillsmart Retail, and a national partnership of training providers, the project helped employees in over 1,000 retail businesses to raise motivation and productivity levels within their workforces and improve their overall competitiveness by pinpointing crucial skills gaps and training needs at an organisational, departmental and individual level.

From detailed skills reports produced by Capability Matrix, retailers were able to attend workshops and take formal qualifications in the training and education relevant to their needs.

One of Europe’s largest retail trade associations, the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) has appointed the Retail Academy as its own tailored training arm and has actively encouraged its members to use the RAPPARS system, producing over 1,000 skills reports in response.

"The project outcome has helped participating members to focus on key areas for improvement and implement the skills needed to drive profitability and competitiveness," says NFRN national training and field operations manager, Charles Fleckney.

To date, Capability Matrix has successfully helped UK retail businesses including the Association of Convenience Stores, representing 32,000 neighbourhood and community retailers throughout the UK, and the Retail Skills Shop at Bluewater, which supplies training to Europe's largest shopping centre.

MKM summarises the system as a solution offering benefits for all Retail Academy stakeholders.

"Capability Matrix provides labour market intelligence in which the Retail Academy can pinpoint skill gaps for smaller retailers throughout the UK," says MKM’s managing director Rob Arntsen.

"It’s not just retailers who use Capability Matrix," he adds. "Training providers use it to collect and collate vast amounts of data. This data is used in producing the training that these businesses need in order to remain competitive in today’s fast-changing business world.
"And the retailers use the reports generated to create employee development plans that will go to improve the skills within their businesses."

Ends

EDITOR NOTES
1. Capability Matrix
Capability Matrix is a customisable capability and skills management system that lets employees assess their skills and skills gaps, enabling employers to pinpoint support to the people and departments in greatest need.


2. Retail Academy
Founded by MyKnowledgeMap in 2002, the Retail Academy is one of the largest scale e-learning initiatives and online support service developments in the UK, providing a national brand and support infrastructure for formal and non-formal learning for smaller retailers.
A legal consortium comprising universities and further education colleges specialising in retail education, its organisational structure includes private retail training providers, Skillsmart Retail (the national sector skills council) as well as trade associations representing over 200,000 independent retailers in the UK.

The Retail Academy is supported by government agencies such as the National Learning and Skills Council, the Qualification and Curriculum Agency (QCA) and leading awarding bodies, such as City & Guilds.

Further Information from:
Rob Arntsen / Tom Holland, MyKnowledgeMap 00 44 (0) 1904 659465