Convert real-world experience and skills into real qualifications

Retail is an industry where a lot of talented people have experience and knowledge, but they have no formal qualification. In fact, less than one third of the retail workforce holds a Certificate III or higher – the lowest average level of qualifications of any industry in Australia.

A qualification makes a real difference to a person’s employability and income potential, and many more benefits.

Over the past 12 months we’ve all witnessed multiple national brands shut their doors, the most recent being Pumpkin Patch, with hundreds of employees suddenly left without a job and limited ways to demonstrate their skill level.

The NRA is currently working with many highly-experienced retail workers who have lost their jobs or who are looking to have their experience and skills recognised. Our Training & Development Team works with employers and employees to convert real-world experience into full qualifications. By gaining qualifications employees improve their job prospects while employers can increase retention and job satisfaction.

The NRA team can also help employers across Australia to source government assistance in order to map their workforce’s skills into qualifications. For example, the Queensland Government has made funding available for Queenslanders who do not have a Certificate III qualification or higher to help them gain this.

There are some fantastic opportunities available for employers and workers, and the NRA Training & Development Team would be pleased to give you more information. Contact Yvonne at y.williams@nra.net.au.