Retail Apprenticeship

Retail is the UK’s largest private sector employing 2.9 million people which equates to 11% of the total UK workforce.

Retail covers a host of businesses from market stalls and independent shops to national chains and large superstores. This Apprenticeship covers a range of skills that can be used across this vast sector.

As an Apprentice, your role will depend on your employer – you could be assisting customers on the sales floor of a high street store or handling their purchases. Alternatively, you could be working in a specialist department and become a product expert able to help with specific queries. An artistic flare could point you in the direction of visual merchandising, helping to create window and in-store displays. Or you could work behind the scenes in stock handling, ensuring products are received in the correct quantities and appropriately stored.

On the Advanced Apprenticeship, your training will focus on a more specific role to gain greater skills in your preferred specialty. You will handle more responsibility and gain important management skills. From organising displays to learning the crucial aspects of management, the skills gained from the Retail Apprenticeship are transferable to all retail companies. With a young workforce, the UK’s retail sector is vibrant and offers many opportunities for early career progression.

The Apprenticeship programme develops individuals by increasing their confidence through gaining the skills and knowledge required to carry out the role. The Apprenticeship also helps individuals to progress quickly to more senior roles.

For people working in a customer facing roles the Retail Apprenticeship will help them to develop the skills needed to provide a high quality service, which both customers and employers expect.