Pre-Employment Programme is ready-made solution for Tory ëwork for benefitsí plan

Skillsmart Retailís new initiative ìRetail Worksî is a pre-employment training programme that can deliver the skills employers want and the long-term unemployed need to get into work.

This new initiative from the Sector Skills Council for Retail may be retail-specific, but it is a ready-made model for David Cameronís latest proposal to overhaul the benefit system with a mixture of training, guidance, work experience and support.

The Retail Works programme also fulfils Gordon Brownís welfare-to-work pledge for the unemployed, i.e. not only to be available for work, but also get the skills required for entering and remaining in employment.

Aimed at providing the necessary skills jobseekers need to successfully apply for and secure a job in retail, the largest private sector employer in the UK, Retail Works is aligned with the current Governmentís Skills and Jobs Pledges. It also meets the Prime Ministerís challenge to help people find new skills that assist them in getting a job, as stated this week in his comments on the success of the ëNew Dealí programme.

Taking the form of a flexible two week training programme and workbook, Retail Works provides the core foundation skills to begin working in retail, as well as raising confidence and encouraging motivation. This means it is perfect for bridging the existing gap for the unemployed and providing a push into the world of work for people on benefits, returners to work and lone parents.

Lynn Perkins, National Manager (England) at Skillsmart Retail, explained why the programme is a ready-made solution for both political partiesí welfare-to-work agendas: ìAfter trials with employers from major shopping developments and small towns (including large retailers and independents), Retail Works has proved a workable solution amongst jobseekers.î

ìPeople on the programme benefited from fast-tracked interviews with employers, work placements and signposting to local adverts and Job Centre Plus. As a result 65% found employment with retailers, including Body Shop, Argos, Tesco, Boots, Asda, Toys-R-Us and Next.î Lynn Perkins said.

Skillsmart Retail has also consulted with other large national retailers, including John Lewis Partnership and Sainsburyís, and recruitment organisations including Job Centre Plus, Remploy, Reed and Working Links. Their feedback and comment has been invaluable and has subsequently been incorporated into the Retail Works content.

For more information about Retail Works, which was released on 2nd January 2008, please email lynn.perkins@skillsmartretail.com or phone 020 7462 5060.