Partnership between Retail Institute and The Warehouse offers school students work experience

Retail Institute and The Warehouse have partnered to offer students a taste of what it is like working in retail. Red Shirts in Schools is a programme based on Retail Institute’s Customer Service Award and contextualised to The Warehouse environment. The aim of the programme is to offer students work experience and help them transition from school into the workplace.

The Warehouse Group Chief Executive Officer, Mark Powell, says that ‘The Warehouse is passionate about partnering with our communities and particularly enhancing the lives of families and young people. We know that it is a challenge for many young people moving from school into work, so we are proud to offer workplace training in our stores’.

The Red Shirts in Schools programme covers customer service skills essential for the retail workplace, such as communication skills, personal presentation, product knowledge and team work. Credits achieved through this programme can be used towards the National Certificate in Retail (Level 2).

As part of the Red Shirts in Schools package students will receive work placements with The Warehouse, customised learning resources, and support through a dedicated coordinator. The coordinator will work with store management to ensure students get a good understanding of working in retail. They will also set clear development plans, provide inductions for students, assess students’ work and keep in touch with schools in their region.

This programme is currently only available to schools in the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch regions. Places are limited, so schools wishing to participate in the programme must apply.

To apply for this programme please contact your local coordinator:
Wellington
Noeline Clarke
noelineclarke@hotmail.com
027 422 8100
Christchurch
Sue Dwan
sue@dwanandassociates.com
021 802 593
Auckland
Jake Billyeald
jake.billyeald@xtra.co.nz
027 450 8998

For more information, please contact Retail Institute on 0800 486 738 or visit www.retailinstitute.org.nz.