National Retail Federation Foundation and U.S. Department release of a Retail Competency Model.
The Retail Competency Model is designed to help retailers identify and build talent. The framework supports a variety of recruitment, training, and career advancement solutions built on the skills that retail workers need to succeed.
Through the President’s High Growth Job Training Initiative, the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has worked with business leaders to create comprehensive and readily accessible documentation of the skills required in a variety of high growth, high demand industries. ETA collaborated with the National Retail Federation (NRF) Foundation, the research and education arm of the NRF, to develop, crosswalk, and validate competencies necessary to pursue retail careers.
"We are committed to expanding competency-based training and certification in the retail industry,” says NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin. “These competencies set a standard for career advancement and identify opportunities to take advantage of the range of career opportunities which retail companies provide.”
The NRF Foundation and several retail partners were instrumental in the development and validation of the competency model. Competencies have been integrated into curriculum and training programs are available at NRFF Retail Skills Centers across the country, schools and colleges, and within the Workforce Investment System. In addition, companies can access courses through NRF University wired, a new e-learning platform developed for the retail industry. Job seekers, students, and employees assessed for National Professional Certification in Customer Service, Sales, and Retail Management earn a credential to document their skills.