Tills are ringing at retailers across Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole to signal the launch of new qualification giving shops the future workforce they need.
Beales, WH Smith, Castlepoint and The Dolphin Centre are already on board with the innovative scheme, with negotiations underway with some 20 more local retailers.
The new Level 3 BTEC in Business Retail will see sixth formers from schools across the conurbation combine classroom study with work experience on the shop floor.
Students will come from The Grange & Twynham schools in Christchurch, Glenmoor in Bournemouth and Ashdown in Poole with Twynham – which already runs a successful Level 2 version of the qualification – providing support.
Dr Terry Fish, executive head at Twynham and Grange Schools, said: “At a time when university fees have reached record levels, a number of students are looking for a more relevant and practical route into the workplace and this course not only meets the needs of the students, but also our local businesses.
“It’s not an easy option, however, and the course has been specially designed with input from local companies to meet the needs of their modern retail businesses to ensure they have the future workforce they need.
“The other aim is to make retail a career of choice for young people by giving them relevant work experience alongside high quality employability skills.”
Mandy Payne, managing director of Retail Resource, said: “Having worked both in retail business and in the retail training sector for many years I can truthfully say that this is the most innovative and exciting business retail course I have ever seen.
“The young people on this course will be pathfinders for future participants and will have a wide range of skills and knowledge for further education or for entering the exciting business world of retail.”
