working with schools

Retail Institute

The Retail Institute is New Zealand’s industry training organisation for everyone working in retail and retail related wholesale and distribution.

We work closely with our industries to develop NZQA approved qualifications and training materials for employers and employees ranging from entry level to senior management.

This brochure explains how you can get involved with your local schools. It also outlines the benefits of young people as potential employees.

are under 25employees

31%of retail

working with schools

Retail Institute works with schools to give students the opportunity to experience retail workplaces while engaging in structured workplace learning.

Schools programmes, such as Gateway, can bond businesses with their communities. Working with schools also gives employers an opportunity to:

develop a pool of prospective employees that •have a retail qualification, without costing the business money.train and/or test potential supervisors among their •existing staff (by getting them to supervise and verify for the student). give the employer visibility with young people and •possibly make them an employer of choice.

Employers can form a relationship with a specific school or with a collective of schools. The employer gets the chance to speak with the Gateway Coordinator and let them know the type of learner they would like to employ. It costs them nothing except a little time and the pay-off can be immense.

The students enrolled in schools programmes are selected based on their attendance and behaviour records. Every school has an interview process and strict criteria that students must meet before they are considered for a work placement. The employer can say no to any proposed student.

For many teenagers, leaving school and working is a scary thought. Most young people have no idea what they want to do for a career.

how can a student help my business?

School students can offer their help in your business, particularly during busy times.

They could help out in areas such as:• Stocktake• Cleaning• Re-organisingstorageareas• Dataentry• Re-stockingshelves• Un-packingstock• Ticketingstock• Assemblingstock•WrappingatChristmastime•Greetersatthemaindoors• Handingoutbrochures/pamphletsinstore

questions to ask yourself about your business:

• Areyoutargetingtheyouthmarket?• Arethedemographicsofyourcustomersreflectedinyourstaff?

•Whodoyouemployduringbusytimes?• Doyouemploystaffwhoarealreadyskilledordoyouemploythepersonalitythenteachtheskills?

Employers provide a work placement of one day or more per week for up to 12 weeks.

This time will ensure the student gets a good opportunity to complete their Retail Institute programme.

In addition to offering a work placement you will need to act as a verifier for the student. A verifier confirms that the student has completed set tasks.

The Retail Institute offers students programmes in customer service, selling skills and work ready skills.

what will i need to do?

how to get involved

If you are interested in taking on students for work placements you can join the Retail Institute’s Employer of Choice register.

The Employer of Choice register is a list of all employers willing to take on students to help them complete our schools programmes. When a school is looking for an employer they can contact employers on the list to see if they have an opening for a student.

Contact the Retail Institute to join the Employer of Choice register.

To become an Employer of Choice, contact the Retail Institute on 0800 486 738

Please note: Your workplace must be safe, appropriate and supportive of the schools programme and the students it takes on.

Glenn, a manager at a sports store in Christchurch, worked with two Gateway students.

Providing work experience has given Glenn an insight into students’ work ethic and enthusiasm towards a career in retail. Glenn says that a proactive and motivated student can learn a lot from the Gateway programme. ‘It is a great stepping stone towards gaining certificates in retail and very beneficial for individuals aiming to make retail their career.’

from an employer

success story

‘Gateway helps students understand retail, beyond selling.’

‘At first I thought it was just an easy way to cruise through school. Sadly I was mistaken. I had to work really hard for what I got, but it was so much fun. I was amazed how much I gained from the programme; communication skills, confidence, and self pride, I was able to do things, like talk to customers, that I would never have done before. It really gave me something to work for.

‘I started doing Fridays at a department store. It soon turned into more than work experience, it was a passion. The manager soon offered me a job over the Christmas

holidays to run the Christmas shop; it was amazing to have a responsibility like that.

‘Unfortunately,whenIleftschoolitmeantthataftertheChristmas period my work experience was over, so I set out to find a job. After four months of working on a dairy farm the manager of the department store phoned and offered me a full-time job in the fashion department. Of course I jumped at the chance. So now, a year and a half later, I am still working full time in the fashion and cosmetic departments.‘

Students do schools programmes to gain experience in a work environment. This can benefit both students and employers. Michaela thought the schools programme would help get her into the working world after finishing school.

from a student

success story

‘the schoolsprogrammeset meon my wayto a careerin retail.’

0800 486 738Level8,WillbankHouse57 Willis Street, PO Box 24-341Wellington 6142

TEL 04 499 3078FAX 04 499 3079info@retailinstitute.org.nzwww.retailinstitute.org.nz

rib

ro

.em

p Ju

ly ‘1

0