Retail Traineeships

The National Retail Institute is the training arm of National Retail Association, Australia’s leading retail employers’ association.

Our trainers are retail industry people who understand our sector.

This qualification is designed for retail managers such as middle to senior management in a larger retail or wholesale outlet or for the management of a smaller, retail store or wholesale outlet.

Learners will complete core units in retail skills. Learners will also be able to choose from a wide range of electives in communication, merchandising, customer service, loss prevention, stock control and technical skills to suit their particular interests and work context.

What are Traineeships?

Traineeships are the best way to combine training and employment. They are a way of training staff to meet your business needs, whilst they obtain a nationally recognised qualification.

Traineeships combine practical work with structured training to give people a nationally recognised qualification and the experience they need to get the job done.

A traineeship can last between one or two years, and all the training can be delivered on the job. As the programs are competency based, it may be possible for a trainee to complete their training sooner if they have reached the skill level required.

Who is it for?

• Retail Store Manager,
• Retail Managers/Supervisors
• Retail and Support Staff

All applicants must currently be employed in the retail industry and have sufficient relevant retail experience in a current or previous job role.

What course is for me?

What are the benefits for the Employer?

As a competency based course, the focus is on up skilling staff in areas with a direct impact on the success of your business, such as customer service, maintaining stock and minimising theft. It also helps create a learning culture within your business, where the skills of your staff and the value of their contribution to your company is formally recognised.

What are the benefits for the Employee?

Receiving such a clearly structured and productive commitment from an employer has a tremendous impact on an employee’s morale and commitment, encouraging a sense of ownership in the success of the business. Being able to fit training in with the workplace schedule puts the course in a context relevant to the trainee, and is therefore more likely to lead to a successful outcome. Qualifications delivered by the NRI are nationally recognised.

How and where will training be conducted?

Training delivery conducted by the NRI can be accommodated in a workshop/classroom environment and/or individual workplace delivery. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be made available to all trainees. The timeframe for each qualification will vary according to the experience of each trainee. Typically existing workers, with at least two years experience, and working in a full time capacity, can reasonably expect to complete the level II or III qualifications in 12 months each. Combined qualifications and Certificate IV level qualifications can be completed in 24 month nominal duration.

How do we sign into a Traineeship?

The NRI will facilitate a meeting between the employer and an Australian Apprenticeship Centre, to ensure that all eligibility criteria and paperwork is completed on time and with little disruption. This process could be at the workplace or could include group enrolments at a central location, to save time for you as the employer. This will enable a number of staff members to be signed up with everybody getting the same information

What is my investment?

The investment by employer/participant will be dependant on the eligibility of each individual trainee. Some trainees may attract Federal Incentives which would cover the cost of training payable to NRI. Those trainees who do not attract state user choice funding can be enrolled on a fee-for-service basis and costs for these trainees would be discussed on a case by case basis.

Further Information

If you would like further information on our training courses or would like to register, please contact National Retail Institute on

FREECALL: 1800 732 066 or PHONE: 07 3240 0100 EMAIL: training@nra.net.au