Training and career development in retail

Graduates can continue to learn as they develop their retail career.

Traditionally, the retail sector has been seen as one that featured long hours and low pay, but salaries, conditions and opportunities for advancement have improved considerably and retail can now provide you with a career to rival others. One of the most important factors to consider is whether a company will help you to progress and reach your true potential.

Work-based education has been endorsed in several important reports in recent years and retailers across Ireland are leading the way in work-based training, continuing professional development (CPD) and improved access to e-learning in the workplace. In the Republic, IBEC’s Retail Skillnets group developed a ten-module on-the-job programme to build staff expertise in key areas. Similarly, in the North, Skillsmart Retail has established initiatives to promote upskilling within the industry.

What to expect

Depending on your degree subject, you may enter the graduate workforce at either operational level or a position higher up the hierarchical chain. Graduate training programmes and fast-track management training programmes are often available and are a good way for ambitious graduates to progress rapidly. If you prefer to develop a specialism early on, there are many short courses available to help you to develop your skills or to get into niche areas such as marketing, human resources or finance.

Professional qualifications and postgraduate study

Historically the retail sector has not been one to place particular value on a third-level qualification, or on any beyond your undergraduate qualification. This trend is changing. Even long-established management who have ‘worked their way to the top’are beginning to embrace the spirit of CPD and to appreciate the wide range of skills that engaging in any third-level programme can provide.

Postgraduate degree programmes in retail studies on the island of Ireland are run by the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) and include an MBS in Retail Management and a PGDip in Fashion Buying & Management. A number of third-level institutions also operate CPD programmes in association with retail companies. For example, Dublin Business School runs a programme in association with Lidl, and DIT runs similar programmes in association with BWG (Spar and Mace) and Hickey’s Pharmacies.

If you already have a retail degree you may wish to pursue a specialist postgraduate programme in an area such as supply chain management, marketing, or IT. See postgradireland.com for the range of options open to you. If you are already in employment, ask your employer if they would consider sponsoring or subsidising your study.